Crime & Safety
Profiles in Volunteerism: Firefighter Ken Janis
Ken Janis of Lower Saucon Township is a volunteer firefighter with Se-Wy-Co Fire Company.
Editor's Note: We're interested in profiling volunteer firefighters from throughout the Saucon Valley. If there's someone you'd like to nominate for this regular Patch feature, send an e-mail to Josh.Popichak@patch.com.
Name: Ken Janis
Age: 38
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Lives: Lower Saucon
Family: Wife, two children
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Job: Diesel mechanic, Se-Wy-Co Fire Company Secretary
Fire company:
Training so far: Firefighter 1, Hazmat, CPR, EMT, First Aid, Vehicle Rescue
What's it like being a firefighter?
“It’s challenging and rewarding. The camaraderie you get with guys in the group, there’s nothing like it in the world. It’s definitely an incentive to give back to the community that you live in, and try to make it a better place to live in.”
How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger?
“Necessary evil is a good term. They sort of know what it is. They don’t like it but they accept it. Hopefully, we’ll never have to find out the ultimate sacrifice.”
Tell us a story you'll never forget about your firefighting experience.
“You have the laughable ones, the cat stuck in the tree call. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true. Any accident that involves kids…they’re the most innocent. I’m an adult and you sort of blame the adult as an action on their part. When kids are involved, it becomes especially hard.”
What would you tell people interested in joining your fire company?
“You have to try it. It’s definitely not 'Rescue Me' on TV. It’s the exact opposite. It’s much easier today to get someone to coach the local softball team than it is to get a volunteer firefighter. Years ago, training was a four-hour course and 'here you go,' you’re on the truck the next day. Now, it’s 160 hours, one day during the week, all day Saturdays and sometimes all day Sundays to get through the class. They try to run them twice a year. Out of 30 guys in a class, 10 may graduate because it’s too difficult. It’s very comparable to the Marine Corps. We don’t want contracts. We want commitments. It’s a very elite fraternity.”
For more information about Se-Wy-Co Fire Company and how to become involved as a volunteer, visit www.sewyco-fc.org.
