Chance Meeting Leads Recruit To Fire Academy

VanJonte "Jay" Poulson, 32, has always been intrigued by firefighters, and fondly remembered regularly visiting a volunteer station behind a childhood home in Wilson Point.

But it wasn’t until Poulson, of Parkville, was installing cable at the home of Carmen Burke, the secretary for the department’s applicant unit, that the idea of becoming a professional firefighter began to take shape. 

"She really brought everything into perspective for me, and it’s like I said, she hit the switch," Poulson said.

Now Poulson is one of 31 recruits who make up the county's newest class at the Fire-Rescue Academy in Sparrows Point. The class consists of 35 percent minorities, 13 percent women and 35 percent military veterans, according to a news release. 

Last year, the county—following a Department of Justice inquiry into the hiring practices at the fire and police departments—announced a hiring preference for veterans and increased efforts to recruit minorities and women. 

"I am very proud of the progress that we are making in the Fire Department to ensure that our firefighters and EMS personnel reflect the communities they serve," County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said in a news release. "It is also gratifying that veterans make up 35 percent of the class. Our entire county is a better place when our workforce is representative of the community it serves.  We are making real progress, and I am committed to continuing our efforts."

Lt. Jay Ringgold, fire department recruitment manager, said he looks at a lot of different qualities when recruiting firefighters, but whether that person wants the job more than just a paycheck is a crucial factor.

"What I’m looking for is someone who I think is the best fit for this job," Ringgold said. "And that is the attitude—the commitment to excellence."

But Poulson said he was just excited to be preparing to do a job he believes he was meant to do.

"It’s family here. This is family," Poulson said.

The Baltimore County Fire Department is currently hiring. More information about joining the department click here.