The Firefighters for Healing Hero of the Month for November is Paul Burgett from Hopkins.
We define a hero as a person who is courageous and performs good deeds. A hero is someone who comes to the aid of others, even at personal risk. They exhibit bravery, courage, strength, resilience and perseverance by owning their life story and overcoming obstacles on ordinary days in extraordinary ways to write new chapters of that story.
Here is Paul’s story:
My name is Paul Burgett, I'm a firefighter-paramedic for the City of Hopkins. I'm also a former United States Marine.
As a child, I always admired firefighters and was in awe of them and the work they do. Growing up in Minneapolis, I had the opportunity on several occasions to see the firefighters of Local 82 in action, rescuing people from house fires and being a presence in my community. They inspired me to look for ways to serve others so that when I grew up I was always volunteering and helping out in my community.
My job as a union carpenter was satisfying but there was always a hunger to serve the community in a deeper way. That desire found some fulfillment when I enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. I found great pleasure in being part of "America's 911" and served with distinction, receiving an honorable discharge in 2013.
During that time, I had the opportunity to interview some firefighters in Hopkins for a project I was doing. My wife had always wanted me to "do something less dangerous than the Marines" and often reminded me that I would probably really enjoy firefighting. As it turns out, she was right! One exposure to a station and the crew there was all it took. I filled out an application to become a member of the Hopkins Fire Department that is a combination of full-time members and paid-on-call staff. I was so excited to be hired as a paid-on-call member.
In the years since, I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most professional, dedicated and upstanding firefighters in America. The men and women at Hopkins Fire are second-to-none. I've been through intense rescues, fires, extrications and had the privilege to do outreach through public education visits and a youth reading program in the Hopkins School District. Firefighting is a career that brings together all of the best aspects of our community and I'm proud to be a part of that.
Recently, my passion for service to others led me to paramedic school and I have begun work as a full-time paramedic with North Memorial Ambulance Service. I have applied to become a full-time firefighter and I hope that my skills and abilities will allow me to serve the public with an even greater degree of excellence.
As we celebrate the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps this month, I am proud of and thankful for the opportunity to continue to be part of America's 911. Thanks to all first responders, soldiers, sailors, Marines and air force personnel that stand watch for us, from dusk til dawn.
Paul is an inspiration because he is bringing life experience to each new role he pursues to better serve his community. We honor him today for his generous heart for community, service to his country and his pursuit of excellence.
If you were inspired, we encourage you to volunteer, donate, bring paracords to your community, or nominate a firefighter or burn survivor who deserves to be recognized as a hero. Click here to learn more.
