Name:  Mike Delre

Age:  45

Lives:  Lower Macungie Township

Family:  fiancée, Terry Jones, and one son

Job:  Maintenance mechanic at Olympus Camera

Fire company:  Engineer at Lower Macungie Fire Department

Training so far:  “I have extensive driver training and a CDL Class B driver’s license in order to drive the fire truck. I have taken, and continue to take, courses to be able to operate the equipment, diagnose problems and hopefully fix any problems that may occur with equipment while at a fire.”

What's it like being a firefighter?  “I think it’s fun and very rewarding.”

How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger?  “They are proud of me for what I do.”

Tell us a story you'll never forget about your firefighting experience.  “I don’t really have a lot of stories.  I’m too busy ‘behind the scenes’ making sure the equipment is operating properly.  Although, during and after Irene I was busy helping pump water out of people’s basements.”

What would you tell people interested in joining your fire company?  “There is a lot of training involved.  You also make a lot of good friends—we are like a family here.”

Do you know a volunteer firefighter who Patch should profile? Contact mariella.savidge@patch.com