Ryan Hartsell is St. Marys Fire Department firefighter of the month.
Hartsell joined the team in 2020 and has demonstrated the ability to learn quickly as he completed his Firefighter Initial Training Program (FITP) well under the predetermined two-year time frame, according to a media release.
Fire Chief Richard ‘Andy’ Anderson said Hartsell was selected because he displays "an ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to changing situations.
"He continually strives to strengthen and refine professional effectiveness through education. Ryan is one of six members of the department’s swift water/ice rescue Go Team. This combined with the experience he gains through training and on the fire ground will make him an effective leader."
Fire emergencies make up a small fraction of the calls fire departments respond to.
“When that call comes in, you could have a vehicle accident on the highway that has littered debris you need to clear, or you could have hazardous materials to handle — you never know what that call is going to bring,” Hartsell said.
“Hartsell is a firefighter who can be counted on to achieve results during emergency situations,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Edwards.
Hartsell said he has always had an interest in emergency services, and out of high school furthered his education to become a paramedic.
After moving to St. Marys from Woodstock in 2018, befriended some local firefighters.
"That is when I realized the amount of camaraderie they had amongst the group, that along with the satisfaction of being able to help the community of St. Marys."
With long hours and high-pressure situations, it doesn’t take long for a firefighting team to form tight bonds. When you become part of the fire department, those people become an extension of your family.
“If someone is getting married or having a kid — typically when something is going on with the life of a firefighter — the rest of the fire department gets involved,” Hartsell said. “These friendships last a lifetime.”
Hartsell suggested anyone new to firefighting should take as many extra courses as possible to increase their knowledge and experience with the vast array of calls encountered.
Off duty, Hartsell dedicates his time to his wife Alex and their newborn son Haynes. Ryan is employed at Federal White Cement as a Central Control Room Operator Trained employee.
