Craig Daily Press

Alvaro Landa, 34, is a second-year firefighter with Craig Fire/Rescue.

When he first thought about joining the department, he said, he figured he wouldn’t make the cut and that firefighters had their own social network he couldn’t join.

Landa has lived here since 1979, he said, and wishes he would have joined the Fire Department before he made the decision last year.

Q: Why did you join the Fire Department?

A: It’s always been an interest that’s always been in me. Because of work, I just wasn’t sure if it would work out. I talked to my employer and he was very supportive of it, and I decided to join. I’d always seen these guys drive down the road with their lights and sirens and I always thought that was cool as hell.

Q: What was your rookie year like?

A: It was a lot of training. Commitment, also. Pretty much, it’s your first year and you got to learn everything. It’s just a matter of getting all that out of the way. It was fun. I really enjoyed it. It was something new, obviously, that I’d never been exposed to. It was great training, actually.

Q: What do you think about the Fire Department taking it easier on the new recruits?

A: I was a little skeptical, somewhat. But, I can certainly see their point. I can certainly see their reasoning. During my rookie year, I’m not sure when you say “taking it easier,” I don’t think it was that harsh. Yes, there is time commitment, but it’s not like where they belittle you, like hazing. There was some joking around, but it was mostly because I knew almost everybody there at the department and we kind of joke around. I think it’ll really help us to get more firefighters on.

Q: Do you ever regret your commitment to the Fire Department?

A: Not at all. Definitely not.

Q: What do you like most about the Fire Department?

A: At first, it was somewhat of an interest, but now it has somewhat become a passion, I guess. You just feel … how should I explain this? I guess there’s a certain amount of pride when something bad happens to somebody and you’re the first people that they call. And with your training and your equipment and everything, you feel confident that when you go out there that you’re going to be able to help somebody. I’m not saying save a life, because obviously we don’t save a life every time. But there’s a certain amount of pride in that.

Q: What would you say to someone who was on the fence about joining?

A: I was on the fence because of work. I wasn’t sure how that was going to pan out until I actually talked to my employer. I would probably tell this person to first see why he’s not sure of it, and then just to talk to somebody.

If it’s an employee issue, if it’s a family issue. … A lot of people think that the Fire Department kind of takes a lot of time and I think you can make it as big of a commitment or as little. There are obviously requirements, we’ve got certain training requirements and all that, but you don’t have to be down there every single day.

It’s just a matter of finding out why they’re hesitant about it and just talking to anybody.

— Interview by Collin Smith