FireFighter Spotlight: Captain Chad Gilchrist
Age: 39 years old
Hometown: Oxford, AL
Time with Oxford FD: 14 years
Rank: Captain
What made you decide to become a firefighter?
I grew up surrounded by public servants. My father was an Oxford police officer and a volunteer firefighter. My cousin was also a firefighter. When my cousin passed away I saw firsthand the brotherhood that exists in this circle. I knew this coupled with my love to serve was something I wanted to do.
What has been a moment that has given you the greatest satisfaction since becoming a firefighter?
So many times we run calls and once we leave the people involved we don't know how things turned out. The special times are those when these people come back and visit and we get to see that all our training and efforts helped them out in some way. That's hard to beat.
What are some of the key things you've learned as a firefighter that have helped other areas of your life?
Perseverance and Understanding. We have to push through so much in training and at each call we go to. This has helped deal with things as they come in everyday life. So many people either don't understand people or don't care to. In our line of work we see all kinds of people often at their worst. Simply understanding who they are and what they are about helps us to help them. This is so beneficial in everyday life as well. When we all see people for who they are and seek to understand them, it makes our relationships with those not just like us so much better.
What is something people might not know about a day in the life of a firefighter?
No two days are the same. We are very fortunate here in Oxford. Our administration allows us to train in so much more than just firefighting and EMS. We have specialist in technical rescue as well. This allows us to help out with things like rope rescue, wilderness rescue, water rescue, hazmat, tornado and hurricane assistance, and providing EMS services to OPD's ESU team if the need arises. We also keep busy assisting other city departments when they need help and we are able to provide it. OFD at its core is to help anybody anyway we can.
Anything else you would like to share?
I consider it a privilege and honor to serve this great city. This is my hometown and I love getting to help those that are having a rough day. Serving is at the very core of who I am and what God has called me to be.
Hometown: Oxford, AL
Time with Oxford FD: 14 years
Rank: Captain
What made you decide to become a firefighter?
I grew up surrounded by public servants. My father was an Oxford police officer and a volunteer firefighter. My cousin was also a firefighter. When my cousin passed away I saw firsthand the brotherhood that exists in this circle. I knew this coupled with my love to serve was something I wanted to do.
What has been a moment that has given you the greatest satisfaction since becoming a firefighter?
So many times we run calls and once we leave the people involved we don't know how things turned out. The special times are those when these people come back and visit and we get to see that all our training and efforts helped them out in some way. That's hard to beat.
What are some of the key things you've learned as a firefighter that have helped other areas of your life?
Perseverance and Understanding. We have to push through so much in training and at each call we go to. This has helped deal with things as they come in everyday life. So many people either don't understand people or don't care to. In our line of work we see all kinds of people often at their worst. Simply understanding who they are and what they are about helps us to help them. This is so beneficial in everyday life as well. When we all see people for who they are and seek to understand them, it makes our relationships with those not just like us so much better.
What is something people might not know about a day in the life of a firefighter?
No two days are the same. We are very fortunate here in Oxford. Our administration allows us to train in so much more than just firefighting and EMS. We have specialist in technical rescue as well. This allows us to help out with things like rope rescue, wilderness rescue, water rescue, hazmat, tornado and hurricane assistance, and providing EMS services to OPD's ESU team if the need arises. We also keep busy assisting other city departments when they need help and we are able to provide it. OFD at its core is to help anybody anyway we can.
Anything else you would like to share?
I consider it a privilege and honor to serve this great city. This is my hometown and I love getting to help those that are having a rough day. Serving is at the very core of who I am and what God has called me to be.