Ryan Derkowski 鈥�26, a junior majoring in biology, is a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician at the historic Fayetteville Fire Department.
It鈥檚 one thing to talk about community service; it鈥檚 another thing to do it. For Ryan Derkowski 鈥�26, such engagement might lead to a full-time job.
鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to be a firefighter,鈥� says the 51爆料网 junior, who volunteers at the nearby (aka the Fayetteville Fire Department). 鈥淚 now have a chance to turn my passion into something more.鈥�
A certified firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT), Derkowski participates in the Fayetteville Fire Department (FFD)鈥檚 Bunk-In program. The 12-year-old program is part of a nationwide initiative enabling college students to earn a degree while getting on-the-job training in fire and emergency medical services (EMS).
Derkowski credits 51爆料网 for making him a 鈥渕ore knowledgeable and empathetic鈥� first responder.
Derkowski is convinced that a liberal arts foundation makes him more knowledgeable and empathetic. 鈥淚t also prepares me for graduate or professional school in case I want to move into leadership,鈥� says the biology major, who鈥檚 based in the .
His commitment to academic success and community leadership is underscored by his selection to the S. Louise and Howard Phanstiel Scholars Program. In addition to supporting middle-class students, the program imparts the value of philanthropy, mentoring and financial literacy.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be at Syracuse if it weren鈥檛 for the Phanstiel program,鈥� continues Derkowski, who gets additional aid from the . 鈥淏eing a Bunk-In participant allows me to obtain a well-rounded education while providing a critical public service.鈥�
Putting Skills Into Action
An obvious perk of community service is skill development. Every shift at FFD鈥檚 Station 20 enables Derkowski to put hard and soft skills into action.
Hard skills refer to technical knowledge and training鈥攊n his case, activities like hose deployment, forcible entry and throwing ladders. 鈥淲e hone them to razor-sharp perfection,鈥� says Derkowski, who regularly works two 12-hour shifts a week. 鈥淭hey might save somebody鈥檚 life, including my own.鈥�
Soft skills include critical thinking, creative problem-solving and effective communication. They not only enhance his technical prowess, but also help him navigate the psychological complexities of the job.
Like the time Derkowski responded to a fatal motorcycle crash. Or the RV blaze that was punctuated by a series of propane tank blasts. It took everything in him to help contain the fire while explosions went off around him.
鈥淪ometimes you have to emotionally detach yourself from a situation to do the impossible,鈥� he says.
A Second Family
Training is a way of life for Derkowski, who is a member of FFD鈥檚 Bunk-In program.
Volunteering for fire duty is like applying to college in that both involve a competitive application process鈥攊nterviews, background checks, station visits, etc. And because of the training and teamwork that go into fire service, Derkowski sometimes feels like a student-athlete.
鈥淚 visited multiple fire departments when I applied to Syracuse,鈥� says the former lifeguard and referee. 鈥淏ut Fayetteville was always my first choice. The crew has become my second family.鈥�
Derkowski is part of an intrepid community of 70 active volunteers and 30 full- and part-time career members. A 鈥渃ombination department,鈥� in firefighting parlance.
Founded in 1845, FFD is one of the area鈥檚 oldest and busiest departments, responding to approximately 3,500 fires and medical emergencies a year. Many of them are 鈥渕utual aid鈥� jobs, where FFD works with departments out of its jurisdiction.
FFD is a 鈥渃ombination department,鈥� where volunteers like Derkowski (left) work alongside full- and part-time career members. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e my second family,鈥� he says.
Such collegiality engenders a 鈥渕ore coordinated and efficient response鈥� to emergencies, explains Derkowski, who doubles as an interior firefighter and ambulance crew chief. 鈥淢utual aid allows us to serve a wider community when needed.鈥�
During a typical 12-hour shift, he goes on six to 10 runs, most of which are EMS related. The rest are 鈥渇ire calls鈥濃�攕tructural and vehicle fires as well as smoke investigations.
At his disposal is a fleet of sophisticated vehicles: Engine 20, Ladder 20, three ambulances, Rescue 20 and Medic 20.
Derkowski is particularly fond of Ladder 20, a $1.2 million apparatus with a 107-foot, heavy-duty aerial ladder. 鈥淚t鈥檚 highly versatile,鈥� he says, describing the truck as a 鈥渂asic tool鈥� for rapid response, ventilation, extinguishment and rescue operations. 鈥淭he work is an adrenaline rush.鈥�
Derkowski鈥檚 understanding of various biology topics, like anatomy, physiology, immunology and nutrition, enhance his EMT duties.
Dedication. Pride. Integrity.
Derkowski became obsessed with firetrucks at a young age. His younger brother, Tyler (a first-year student at Onondaga Community College), is one of his bunkmates at Station 20. Both credit Keith Johnston鈥攖heir uncle who鈥檚 a past assistant fire chief and current firefighter in Plattsburgh, New York鈥攆or inspiring them to answer the call.
When Derkowski turned 17, he enlisted in the , near Binghamton, New York, and climbed the proverbial ladder to success. Joining FFD was like getting called up to the majors, although he still volunteers for Endwell whenever he returns home.
An immaculate, state-of-the-art facility adjacent to Fayetteville Village Hall, Station 20 runs on dedication, pride and integrity. Access to the latest equipment and technologies is also part of the deal.
鈥淚 do everything here鈥攅at, sleep, study, train, workout,鈥� says Derkowski, who also cooks the occasional meal for the department.
Like most firefighters, he considers the station鈥檚 kitchen table sacred. A metaphor for workplace culture. 鈥淚t鈥檚 where everybody comes together, regardless of age or rank,鈥� Derkowski says. 鈥淲e bond over meals as well as stories and traditions.鈥�
Fellow volunteer firefighter and EMT Patrick Mannion G鈥�80 is usually there alongside Derkowski. 鈥淩yan is an exemplary member of our department,鈥� says Mannion, who also is FFD鈥檚 public information officer.
Onsite sleeping quarters not only contribute to Derkowski鈥檚 safety and well-being, but also improve his fire and EMS response time. 鈥淚 do everything here,鈥� he says of Station 20.
Mannion characterizes Derkowski as a 鈥渧ital part鈥� of the FFD community, someone who adheres to station rules and requirements. 鈥淗e鈥檚 held in high regard by our leadership and by his fellow firefighters,鈥� adds the New York State Regent and member.
High praise for someone who, to paraphrase legendary firefighter and author Dennis Smith, faces death with every alarm bell. 鈥淢ental strength is like physical strength鈥攜ou never stop developing it,鈥� Derkowski adds. 鈥淚t makes me a better student, a better firefighter and a better person.鈥�
