Alburtis Fire Department’s Randy Trexler

Name:  Randy Trexler

Age:  56

Lives:  Borough of Alburtis

Family:  Wife, Sharon and two sons, Ryan and Matthew

Job:  Trexler is employed at .

Fire company:  He is the first assistant chief at .

Training so far:  “I am trained as firefighter 1, and in hazmat operations, building collapse, first aid, AED, rapid intervention (quick rescue) and lots of others.”

What's it like being a firefighter?  “There are good points and bad, as in everything.  I like being there to help others, but you never know when you’ll get called out and sometimes end up missing events.”

How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger?  “My family is very supportive.  Our wives put up with a lot — like when dinner is ready and we have to answer a call.”

Tell us a story you'll never forget about your firefighting experience.  “I don’t really have any specific stories. But fires and accidents that involve young children really bother me. They are so young and innocent. 

“We always try to save as much as we can of people’s belongings, especially in a fire, so they don’t suffer as much.

“Sometimes you go to a call and it’s someone you know.  Then, if we can, we just walk away and let the others handle it.”

What would you tell people interested in joining your fire company?  “There is a lot of on-going training involved.  Help is greatly needed.  People don’t have to be a firefighter to help.  They can assist in other areas, like helping to raise funds, answering the phone, paperwork, etc.  There is a lot of work that goes on in the background.”

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