Supporting the community in its time of need is something that Daniel Reding, 28, is uniquely familiar with as a volunteer firefighter and 911 dispatcher. Having joined the department in 2017 with the intention of meeting new people and stepping out of his comfort zone, Daniel has gained an insurmountable amount of pride representing his hometown.

“Volunteering has positively impacted my life. One of my favorite parts about volunteering is being able to connect with the community at events and educate them on essential fire safety tips to keep themselves and their families safe,” Daniel stated, adding, “When I first joined, I had no background in firefighting at all. Since joining, I have never second-guessed my decision.”

Among the benefits of his volunteer experience are the transferable life skills he has developed. Daniel discusses how his attention to detail, leadership and communication skills have drastically improved through various training drills and emergency calls.

Because Gordons Corner is such an active organization within the community, Daniel has unexpectedly gained a lot of insight into what it takes to plan and execute a successful event. Gordons Corner hosts several community and recruitment events throughout the year, with the biggest one being the annual Feast of San Gennaro, which includes food and beverages, live entertainment, a petting zoo and more. For individuals with a knack for planning and coordinating events, the department offers an auxiliary volunteer role.

“Being able to witness all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the event and how it brings everyone together, it really gives you this feeling of integrity and desire to continue showing up and doing the work to protect the community each and every day,” he said.

When he has free time, Daniel likes to remain physically active by hiking, going to the gym, running and snowboarding in the winter. He also finds himself spending the majority of his spare time hanging out with other members at the firehouse.

“People in the community should join Gordons Corner because the group of people you will meet at the firehouse are like no other. We all help each other and when it comes time to respond to an emergency, we get the job done,” Daniel stated.

“If you’re on the fence about joining, come to one of our weekly training drills and get your questions answered by the firefighters who are doing the work day in and day out,” he added.

No previous experience is required to join Gordons Corner Fire Company, and training and gear are provided at no cost. The department offers a variety of roles including firefighter, junior firefighter, fire police or auxiliary members.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or express interest in joining, visit www.JoinGordonsCornerFire.org/Contact/.