VIDEO: Several generations of firefighters in Excelsior are following the same tradition of service. It’s Wednesday night at the Excelsior Fire District and training is in full swing. For each person here, fighting fires is a window of opportunity that opens the door to a heroic heritage.
“It really filled a void and kind of gives meaning to my life,” said firefighter Haydn Foote. “I love that I get to connect with people. It gives me a chance to solve problems,” said firefighter Joe Sorenson.
“It’s very rewarding helping people and being in the community,” said firefighter Dan Sorenson. “I think it happens a lot throughout the state but not at this volume,” said Chief Curt Mackey. A lot of departments may feel like family, but this one actually is.
“It’s great coming in here, you don’t know everybody, but you know you have them,” said firefighter Keegan Foote. “The statement I make is when these guys join the fire department is my son has become my brother,” said firefighter Doug Foote.
Of the 48 volunteer firefighters in the district, 10 of them are part of father-son combinations serving the department at the same time. There’s Kim Stern and his son Alex, who together have a combined 68 years of experience with Excelsior Fire.
And Mark Gladoski and his son Marshall, who both joined on the same day 9 1/2 years ago. Then there’s Doug Foote who has two sons, Haydn and Keegan, who both followed in their father’s footsteps.
And Dan Sorenson and his son Joe, who at 22 is one of the department’s youngest members, while Joe’s grandfather Dave Cole, who is a reservist at 81, is the oldest. “It’s pretty unique, but I’m really proud of the fact that our people feel that it’s a safe department, and that’s the number one philosophy for us is safety,” said Mackey.
