Name: Jim Polk
Job: Firefighter, Rock Community Fire Protection District. After completing his training to be a volunteer, Polk traveled to Joplin, MO., on May 22. He and fellow Rock Community firefighter Mike Shafferkoetter were part of an 85-member team to assist in search and rescue efforts in Joplin hours immediately following the tornado.
How did you get your job?
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I had family in the fire service and friends, and I just naturally came to it. I loved it. I’ve been with Rock Community almost 12 years and in the fire service 18 or so.
What do you like best about your job?
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Everything. It’s just a great job. The family and the camaraderie. It’s a brotherhood, it really is. It’s another family here, and I’ve incorporated them with my own family. That’s probably one of my favorite things.
What do you like least?
Being away from my wife and kids is probably the worst part. But when I come to work, I look forward to coming to work, just like when I come home I look forward to seeing my wife and kids. I love the shift work, 24 hours on. A 9-to-5 job would be really odd. I don’t think I could do it.