SHANE SMITH 15 YEARS AS A
FIREFIGHTER
T
by Jean Eisenmann | photos courtesy of Shots by Sheri
he Lake Cities Fire Department serves and protects the towns of Corinth, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, and Shady Shores. Within the department, there are three fire stations providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to its citizens. As first responders, these heroes have made a commitment to protect life and property from fire and other disasters. Often, they are first on the scene when road collisions, collapsed buildings, and other devastating emergencies strike. They may face danger yet take these risks willingly and with compassion. Firefighting can be very rewarding, and that’s why so many have chosen it to be their lifelong career.
One such example is Shane Smith, who recently celebrated 15 years with the
Lake Cities Fire Department. A perfect
example of duty and dedication, Shane admits, “This is what I’ve always wanted to do since I was a boy.” And he’s been doing it for 17 years, beginning with graduation from the fire academy and
obtaining his EMT-
Paramedic license,
the highest ranking in EMT training.
For the past two years, Shane has held the
position of Driver/Engineer,
living the ultimate dream – driving the fire truck. Still, this is a very technical position that requires him to know the vehicle
inside and out and make sure every fire
apparatus on the truck is in working order.
The duty schedule consists of three shifts of 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Therefore, the firehouse is a firefighter’s second home where they not only work their shifts but eat and sleep, too. Trust in each other abounds, not only when duty calls but in their day-to-day routines. “You could leave a $100 bill on the table for days, and nobody will take it,” Shane said with a grin. “But don’t leave a pint of
Assistant Fire Chief Chad Thiessen said, “Quite simply, Shane is compassionate and kind to people, and we are glad to have him.” Whenever he retires, Shane and his family plan to travel more in their RV. Firefighters may retire at any age, but he is in no hurry to even consider leaving his ideal profession. After reflecting a moment, he remarked, “I hear the country’s oldest active firefighter retired in 2011 — at the age of 77.”
on the highway. For Shane, “The hardest shift I’ve ever had was during February’s ice storm.” Working non-stop, they
In addition to his career, Shane
step into his role. So I need to know his
and his wife, Amy, have been married nearly 30 years, and
14 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | MAY 2021
“He truly is a great individual who puts service before self.”
Emergency medical services
station are carried out, such as washing
responsibilities, too,” Shane explained.
“He constantly demonstrates great leadership and mentorship.”
(EMS) make up the biggest part of the job for these Lake Cities firefighters, followed by fires and wrecks
handled over 100 calls, with the chiefs even helping to run those calls.
the fire truck. “If the captain’s off duty I
Fire Chief Michael Ross shared some of the firefighters’ thoughts on Shane:
Bluebell ice cream in the freezer or it’ll be gone!”
Shane is also responsible for seeing that
the daily activities performed around the
their daughter Haley recently graduated from UNT. “My fellow firefighters are like family, too,” Shane reflects. “We’re a brotherhood and always have each other’s backs.”
does have a personal life. He
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