By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
The Millbrook Fire Department is striving to keep up with the growing population and increased number of homes and businesses they protect.
Most know the struggle departments have in hiring new employees or signing up new volunteers.
One way the department tries to reach out to future firefighters is through their Cadet Program. Garrett Buchner is just one of those cadets and began the program two years ago when he was just 16. Today he is recognized as a Millbrook Volunteer Firefighter. He is the son of Rob and Kristen Buchner of Prattville.
Aside from training and education he has learned as a Cadet, he has also been competing in multiple firefighting challenges. In April, Buchner won second place in the firefighting competition in the SkillsUSA State Competition. This was a three-day event that included competitions in a diverse range of firefighting skills, including ladder raises, knots, hose patterns/connections, CPR, a mock interview, written tests and other small tasks.
Just prior to that competition, he took part in another doing exceedingly well, taking first place. This was put on by Marshall County. He said that both competitions pushed him to the limit, but he enjoyed all of it. Some of the tasks required him to wear full gear, of about 70 pounds. During the competitions, he had to be able to drag a human size, weighted mannequin. “It was a challenge, but it is reality,” he said, adding that people who have never trained as a firefighter, learn very quickly there is a lot more to doing it than what they may perceive.
As for the training through the Cadet program, and becoming a volunteer firefighter, he says he has learned so much and has really enjoyed working with other firefighters since he turned 18. The Cadet program welcomes 16-year-olds, but they must be 18 before they can actually participate in emergency calls.
“I give all of the credit to the fire department, and my teachers,” he said.
His very first call once in which he was able to actively participate, was Millbrook assisting Elmore Fire Department. He said it was a huge fire, and he was able to get time on the hose as well with helping put out spot and rubble fires.
Buchner is an academically gifted student at Prattville High School. He has also enjoyed courses at the Autauga County Technology Center including firefighting. He said he has been blessed with a great education from both programs and particularly touted all that he learned as far as real-life skills from ACTC.
In his 10th grade year at ACTC in Mr. Driver’s class he helped create an extendable firefighting wrench as a class project. The project placed third place in another SkillsUSA competition. Last year, he competed in the EMT category and placed second.
His plans after graduation are to enter the Air National Guard in Avionics and attending basic training and Tech school. That will have him starting classes at Auburn University a year later, but he is still considering his course of study. He has a lot of interests. “I have thought about doing something fire related, or science, or mechanical engineering, something agriculture.”
He has certainly proven he has what it takes in whatever field he chooses.
During high school he participated in many school programs, such as Cross Country, and Track. He says he is “super outdoorsy,” and loves to hunt, fish and ride ATVs.
He talked about what it is like to hang around the fire house and has come to see other firefighters as family. “I love every bit of it. I consider these guys like my family. I would run into a fire to save any of them, and I think they would save me. I respect all of them.”
Buchner said that at times he will come to spend the night with the crew, and there is great comradery. He said that while firefighters and paramedics deal with serious issues every day, they also find time to have a lot of humor.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Cadet Firefighter program for the Millbrook Fire Department, or becoming a volunteer, training is held each Tuesday at Station 1, located at 3820 Grandview Road in Millbrook. Call (334) 285-6706 if you would like more information.
