Meet Kyle Walbert, Emmaus Fire Department

Name: Kyle Walbert

Age: 22

Hometown: Emmaus

Tell us about your family:

"Both my parents live together in Emmaus, and I have a 19-year-old brother who attends the Pennsylvania State University and is majoring in Professional Golf Course Management (PGM)."

Occupation:

Walbert manages the distribution center at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute in Schnecksville.

Fire company:

He has been a firefighter with the for eight years. 

Training so far: 

Firefighter 1, Hazmat operations, DOH Vehicle Rescue Technician, Water Rescue (all 3 phases, including ice rescue), Hotel/Motel Fires, First Aid/CPR, Essentials of Firefighting, Structural Burn Classes and multiple NIMS classes.

What's it like being a firefighter? 

"It’s a very awarding, and sometime stressful job. I can honestly say the adrenaline rush makes firefighting very addicting as well."

How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger? 

"I don’t really know, they usually don’t elaborate on the subject."

Tell us a story you'll never forget about your firefighting experience:

"I have a lot of stories I'll never forget. However, back in 2007 I was on duty and we got dispatched to a dwelling fire on South 5th Street in Upper Milford Township.

"Upon arrival down the street, the area was filled with smoke, so I knew we had something. We pulled up with heavy smoke pushing out of the house. Another firefighter and I gained entry through the front door and pushed towards the fully involved kitchen/dining room area with a hose line.

"The whole time inside, there were popping sounds. I thought the sounds were windows cracking, only to find out later those popping sounds were a case of 9MM ammunition discharging on the kitchen table from the heat. So between the bullets going off, and this being my first fire, I will never forget it."

What would you tell people who are interested in joining your fire company? 

"Stop by the station and grab an application, we always need help. The more the merrier!"