10/18/2026
🚒 The Byron Fire Department is excited to introduce Josh Gorman, one of our three newest firefighters. Josh has had an interest in emergency services since he was young, and after finding a different professional path following high school, he has now returned to that early interest by joining the Byron Fire Department. We asked Josh what brought him to the fire service, what has surprised him since joining, and what he wants our community to know about the people who answer the call.
🔥 What inspired you to become a firefighter?
There were several things that sparked my interest in becoming a firefighter. My family and I really enjoy living in Byron, and my wife grew up here. We are grateful to be raising our family in this community, so finding another way to give back felt like a natural fit.
I have also been interested in emergency services for a long time. When I attended my first career fair in eighth grade, I was convinced I wanted to become a paramedic. In my teenage years, I became a first responder and spent quite a bit of time riding along with the ambulance service in the community where I grew up.
My education eventually took me in a different direction, but 25 years later, I am excited to finally be part of the fire service. I have enjoyed giving back to Byron by coaching baseball, and now that our kids are getting older, joining the Fire Department felt like a great opportunity to continue serving the community.
🚨 What might surprise the average citizen about being a firefighter?
One of the biggest surprises for me has been realizing just how many different types of calls the Fire Department handles. It is not always about fires, smoke, and flames. We respond to everything from smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to vehicle crashes, downed power lines, and many other emergencies and hazards.
I have also been impressed by the amount of training and preparation that goes into being ready for those calls. There is a tremendous amount to learn about the different types of fires and emergencies firefighters may encounter.
We are fortunate to have so many experienced firefighters who are willing to teach and share their knowledge with those of us who are new to the fire service. I have quickly learned that there is much more to being a firefighter than most people probably realize.
🧠 How challenging or rewarding is it to switch gears mentally from your day job to an emergency scene?
My regular job involves a lot of meetings, and since COVID, many of those meetings have been virtual. Going from an office environment and a computer screen to the Fire Hall or an emergency scene is definitely a change of pace!
At the Fire Hall, I am shifting from attending or leading meetings to working with a team to solve problems in an environment that can be much more physically demanding. As a new firefighter, there is also a tremendous amount to learn.
For now, I spend a lot of my time listening, observing, learning, and being ready to help wherever I can. We have an excellent group of experienced firefighters who have been very willing to teach us, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from them.
📟 What is one thing you wish everyone knew about what happens immediately after calling 911?
When you call 911 for an emergency that requires the Fire Department, firefighters throughout our community may be interrupted at any moment of the day or night.
They could be sitting down for dinner, sleeping, mowing the lawn, spending time with their families, or doing just about anything else. When those pagers go off, they stop what they are doing and head to the Fire Hall so they can respond and help their neighbors.
That happens because of a commitment to this community and a willingness to be there when people need help most.
🏠 What is one vital safety tip you would give our neighbors today?
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly, and change the batteries when needed! 🔋🚨
It is a simple task that only takes a few minutes, but working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can provide an early warning when you need it most. Do not wait until there is an emergency to find out whether they are working.
🔥 Josh is already discovering just how much goes into serving a community as a firefighter, from training and teamwork to responding when people need help. His long-standing connection to Byron and his desire to find a new way to serve make his addition to the department especially meaningful.
Please join us in welcoming Josh Gorman to the Byron Fire Department! We are glad to have him on the team and look forward to seeing him continue to learn, train, and serve the Byron community. 🚒 ❤️
