Crime & Safety
Firefighter Wants You To Know 'Help is On the Way'
Jimmy Ellerman has been serving the community as a volunteer firefighter for eight years and much of his family is also involved in service.
Editor's Note: In our occasional feature, we profile one of Upper Macungie Township's volunteer firefighters.
Name: James (Jimmy) Ellermann
Age: 31
Hometown: Upper Macungie Township
College: Lehigh Carbon Community College, Bucks Fire Academy, Firefighter 1 certified and currently working on Emergency Medical Technician.
Family: Mother Jackie is a member of Upper Macungie CERT and Ladies Auxiliary at Trexlertown Fire Company. My father, John Sr., is a Upper Macungie Fire Police member. My brother, John Jr., is a firefighter and engine operator at Station 56. My half-brother Matthew is a firefighter in Polson, Mont.
Fire Company: Upper Macungie Township Station 56
Years on the job / volunteering: Eight
What really made you want to be a firefighter: During my younger days as a child, who didn't say they wanted to be a firefighter? After eating at a local diner, these firefighters came in and sat down to eat after a big call. I gave them such respect for doing what they do. Moments later another call came in. They left their meals dashing to their cars! I then asked myself the question could I do that?..... I am now living proof of the answer to that question.
Tell me one story you will never forget about your firefighter experience: A few years back a house fire was called in. As I dashed to my driveway you could hear others responding. This particular home was close to my home and I was able to see the home owners as they watched what I'm sure was the worst thing they had ever seen. But their spirits were lifted as they could hear the sirens from all sides of the township. The simple sound of help on the way can be so lifting even at times in the worst of situations. That
sound is not just us saying move out of the way, it's also saying yes we
received your call for help and we're coming.
What do you most want people to know about the work: Many hours of self-sacrifice working at the primary goal of serving and protecting the community. Learning new techniques and meeting with residents to strengthen their relationship to the fire service. We are all volunteers to our community because we want to be and not just because it benefits us.
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