 |
|
|
A conversation with … Dave Kunkle, East Grand County firefighter
|
Katie Looby/Sky-Hi Daily News
|
|
By Katie Looby
Sky-Hi Daily News
May 5, 2008
 Comments
 Print  Email
Dave Kunkle, 28, of Fraser is working hard in the valley to get ahead in life. He says his profession is rewarding.
The volunteer firefighter at East Grand Fire Protection District No. 4 and excavator for J&L Contractors based in Fraser is a Pennsylvania native. He moved to Fraser at age 13 and is enjoying life in the Valley.
“I’m an outdoors kind of guy,” Kunkle said.
1. How many hours do you work a week, and how do you balance two full-time jobs?
Kunkle says he works a minimum of 80 hours a week. He puts in 80-90 hour weeks in the summer: 50 hours of construction labor, and donates 40 hours to the fire district.
“I sleep hard,” he said adding that he gets between six and eight hours of sleep a night.
2. When do you have time for yourself?
He said he has an hour to run errands between his two shifts. He finishes his construction job at 6 p.m. and starts at the fire station at 7 p.m. He gets one to two days off a week.
“Just trying to do what I got to do and get ahead in life,” he said.
3. How long have you been a firefighter resident?
Since summer 2005, he said. “Being a resident I get more hands-on knowledge,” he said. “I put in 40 hours a week there.”
His job responsibilities include truck maintenance and ensuring that they are “ready to roll.”
Being a resident has made him a better firefighter he said.
“You’re just more familiar with everything and know where all the tools are on the truck,” he said. “It definitely helps out, getting the scene established and … under control.”
4. What is something people might not know about firefighters?
“We get a lot of calls that aren’t life-or-death situations,” he said, adding that many are false alarms.
“You still get out of bed at 2 a.m. and make sure it’s a false call,” Kunkle said. “We always double check before we say, ‘Oh don’t worry about it.”
5. What was your experience as a fire fighter like when you first started?
“You just have so much adrenaline. It’s real exciting and real nerve-racking,” he said.
6. Has that feeling changed over time? Does your residence experience help?
“It’s helped out on staying calm and thinking about how to go about it,” Kunkle said.
7. How has volunteering been a rewarding experience?
“Being there, and being trained to handle almost every situation that is there,” he said. “You can keep people safe. There is a lot of self-pride, self-rewarding (which comes) out of it. That’s what I get.”
He said people are used to being there for family and friends.
“But being there to help a total stranger — it makes you feel good,” Kunkle added.
8. Do you work closely with the other fire districts during mutual aid.
He said the firefighters work as a team to make sure the scene is safe. They also protect other exposures such as homes and nearby trees.
“There’s a lot more to being a firefighter than most people think,” Kunkle said. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”
|
|
|
|
May 11, 2008 - Fraser River Days will feature dedication of 'Ike Fishin' the Fraser' statue
May 11, 2008 - Granby — Weather puts damper on Middle Park High School rafting trip, but not spirits
May 11, 2008 - Coin toss decides Fraser Rec board election
May 8, 2008 - Reported plane crash atop Winter Park Resort sends Search and Rescue on wild chase
May 8, 2008 - Winter Park loses power for a few hours when inisulator fails
May 8, 2008 - Denver Water Board extands olive branch to West Slope
May 8, 2008 - Lake Granby explosions, fire claim at least one victim
May 8, 2008 - Granby — E. Grand third-graders dramitically improve reading scores
May 8, 2008 - Granby — Summer water outlook for Upper Colorado River is good
May 8, 2008 - Grand Lake parents demand another teacher at elementary school
May 7, 2008 - Grand Lake has no mayor as court nullifies election
May 7, 2008 - Fraser Rec elections result in tie for second seat
May 7, 2008 - Granby — More volunteers needed for Saturday trail cleanup at YMCA of the Rockies
May 7, 2008 - Fraser — Mold contamination found in 35 Fox Run units
May 6, 2008 - Grand County defers to local asphalt company despite 15 percent higher price tag
May 6, 2008 - Fraser Rec District vote count delayed by manual ballots
May 6, 2008 - Fraser, Grand Lake school principals approved
May 6, 2008 - Grand Lake Rec District voters elect Summers, Gould; about one in 12 cast ballots
May 6, 2008 - Kremmling tightens fiscal belt to save money for water line replacement projects
May 5, 2008 - Forest Service will continue to burn slash piles in Grand County through May
May 5, 2008 - Many Grand County Mexicans don't celebrate Cinco de Mayo
May 5, 2008 - Winter Park encourages citizens to apply to fill vacancy on Town Council
May 5, 2008 - Ditch company agrees to pay $9 million for damage in Rocky Mountain National Park
May 4, 2008 - Grand County investigates builder, financing on 40 lots at Rocky Mountain Estates
May 4, 2008 - Grand County ramps up for the 'Grand Give'
May 1, 2008 - Middle Park snowpack remains above average as spring runoff begins
May 1, 2008 - Winter Park's Hideaway Park project on tight schedule
May 1, 2008 - Former Grand Lake parents get maximum prison sentence in child abuse case
May 1, 2008 - Grand County 'coach' cited by NBA's Billups as instrumental in shaping him
May 1, 2008 - Grand County's perception of Red Dirt Hill as dangerous not supported statistically
May 1, 2008 - Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District candidates adrress issues
May 1, 2008 - Grand Lake cabin destroyed by fire; cause under investigation
April 29, 2008 - Grand Lake recycling survives — barely
April 29, 2008 - Fraser — Changes Thrift Store now sells furniture
April 29, 2008 - Grand Lake Rec District candidates debate issues at forum
April 29, 2008 - Winter Park Planning Commission looks to fill vacancy
April 28, 2008 - Conversation with ... Sharon Brenner, Granby Chamber of Commerce director
April 28, 2008 - Fraser Valley friends find adventure on Grand Canyon float
April 28, 2008 - Heavy snowpack should make for excellent whitewater rafting season
April 28, 2008 - Granby narrows town manager search to five finalists
April 27, 2008 - Fraser recreation center, golf course projects moving forward
April 27, 2008 - Hot Sulphur Springs: It could be weeks before residents can drink their water again
April 27, 2008 - A modest proposal: Public transportation for Grand County
April 25, 2008 - Kremmling receives $478,000 to begin water main replacement
April 24, 2008 - Grand County begins process of revising master plan
April 24, 2008 - Fraser Rec District rectifies Flores termination procedures
April 24, 2008 - Grand County food bank shelves get sparse during off season as demand rises
April 23, 2008 - Turn Back the Pages: Grand Lake Rec District gets out of child care business
April 23, 2008 - Grand Lake mayoral election could turn on court ruling about eligibility of six vo...
April 23, 2008 - Jynnifer Pierro sworn in as Granby's new mayor
|
|
|
|
CLEAR 62°
