Keith Hallmark Research Paper

Keith Hallmark is a firefighter who knows the struggles life as a first responder can put on the family. When he was 20 years old, Hallmark began his career as a firefighter. He attended fire school at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service where he became certified with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He said that at 20 years old he liked the work schedule of a firefighter. From there, his career grew. Hallmark is now an instructor, fire investigator, firefighter, hazardous materials technician and EMT for the San Antonio Fire Department in San Antonio, Texas. Loving his job and making his family happy simultaneously can sometimes be difficult. “I know it’s hard on my family with me being gone a lot and in dangerous situations during almost every shift,” he said. Hallmark said …show more content…
“You have to have a customer service aspect, and be willing to give your 100 percent.” Stripling said it does not matter how tired you may be, you have to push through and be great for others. He said becoming a firefighter is a whole lifestyle change. Stripling said that you miss holidays, or can’t be there for birthdays. He said it has definitely impacted his family. “Sometimes you may be on your day off, but you can still get called in if the system is too overwhelmed with emergencies,” Stripling said. He said it can take awhile for your family and close ones to get on board with the schedule and lifestyle. Stripling said his parents are now really understanding and supportive of his job. In an in class interview, registered nurse with UMC Health System, Chris Teague, said being a first responder is not for everyone. Teague said Lubbock runs about 50,000 calls a year. Teague said people can get pretty cynical sometimes and they need to learn how to handle those kinds of things. The department helps with the