Freshman Frank Manning had every intention of attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis; however, when he visited Hillsdale College during his senior year, one interaction with President Larry Arnn changed his mind.
“He asked me whether it was more important to learn how to fight or when to fight,” Manning said.
Although he chose Hillsdale instead of the Naval Academy, Manning is still learning when and how to fight. But instead of enemies, Manning is fighting fires.
“Mr. Manning is, like so many here, wishing to serve and wishing to know. He sees that he can serve better if he knows better,” Arnn said. “Son of a Marine, his idea of service has a certain martial quality. No surprise that he is fighting fires.”
Manning is a part-time firefighter in the city of Hillsdale. At any hour of the day, he could get a text on his phone and have to drive to an emergency. He keeps all his gear — which includes a helmet, fire hood, breathing apparatus, pants, coat, gloves, and boots — in his truck at all times.
To work part-time as a firefighter, a 150-hour course taken over four months is required. Classes include training in ice water rescue, patient care, Jaws of Life, and CPR. On Feb. 2, Manning also participated in the city of Addison’s live training program.
“They crank up the temperature to 1,000 degrees,” he said.
Manning maintains a normal course load, despite also attending training four days a week and responding to calls.
“It’s really busy,” he said. “Sometimes there will be a call when I’m studying, but it’s a good break.”
Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Pauken has worked as a firefighter for 34 years. When students ask to work for the force, Pauken looks for dedicated people who can commit to a hectic schedule.
“I always tell kids that we don’t work a lot like in a big city,” he said. “But thank God we don’t, because then most of the town would be gone.”
Blackwater’s founder, Eric Prince, was the first Hillsdale student to work for the force. Since then, about one or two students join every five years.
Pauken said that his current force is more mature and was in need of younger members. The group consists of every kind of person from a teacher to a factory worker.
“They don’t care if your mommy and daddy are the CEOs of a Fortune 500 company, or if they are barely scraping by,” he said. “The thing that impresses them is a good work ethic.”
Pauken said that Manning is a good fit for his force.
“The guys like him. He is quiet, but very personable,” Pauken said. “If he sees that there is work to be done, he will jump in.”
Sometimes the emergencies are exciting, but Manning said it doesn’t match how television portrays firefighting.
“Sometimes it is just people burning popcorn in Olds [Residence],” he said.
Mostly he is called to medical emergencies, because the firefighters are the first responders and are responsible for loading a person into an ambulance.
“During my first calls, I shook the whole time because someone could die,” he said. “But I’ve learned how to handle stressful situations in a professional and calm manner.”
Manning joked that being a firefighter would be a good pick-up line.
“But I have a girlfriend back at home,” he said. “So I’ve never gotten to use it.”