(Photo by Staff Sgt. Phillis McMiller)Sgt. 1st Class Scott Hurley, signal support system chief, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Sackets Harbor Fire Department in his off-duty time.
Staff Sgt. Phillis McMiller10th Combat Aviation Brigade Journalist
Millions of kids dream of becoming a firefighter when they grow up. Sgt. 1st Class Scott Hurley, signal support system chief, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, made that dream a reality by becoming a volunteer firefighter in the village of Sackets Harbor.
“Being a volunteer firefighter has been something I have wanted to do since I was little,” Hurley said. “Seeing my mother and stepfather volunteer for many years has made me want to give back and help people in the same way.”
Hurley, a native of Grand Rivers, Ky., has a wife, Julie, and two sons, Brandon and Michael, who currently reside in Sumter, S.C.
“I got into volunteering by being the assistant coach for my son’s baseball team. I enjoy having the opportunity to give back to the local community,” Hurley said. “Sacket Harbor residents really support Soldiers, so this gives me a chance to help those people.”
Hurley has been in the military for more than 18 years, and during that time, he has had several deployments to Iraq, Bosnia and Albania. He currently serves as the noncommissioned officer in charge of his section, which makes him responsible for 24 personnel.
For more than a year, Hurley has maintained his military position during the day, and he continues to volunteer as a firefighter for the Sackets Harbor Fire Department at night.
“The demand creates a hectic schedule at times, but with the support of my Family at home via telephone, and my military Family at work, I am able to set priorities and balance my schedule accordingly,” Hurley said. Whenever he has any free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
The demands of the daily operations of a Soldier can be a great task at times, but according to Maj. Charles T. Cain, brigade S6, officer in charge, HHC, 10th CAB, the demands just help to develop Hurley’s immense talent and ability to be able to work well under pressure.
“Being a firefighter and a noncommissioned officer in the Army brings overlapping requirements as well as constructive training opportunities, both of which contribute in a distinctly positive manner and ultimately makes Sgt. 1st Class Hurley a very special team player,” Cain said.
Not only did Hurley choose to be a volunteer firefighter, he has chosen to volunteer for one of the oldest fire departments in the state of New York. The Sackets Harbor Fire Department has been around since 1814, and according to Sackets Harbor Fire Chief Randolph Lynd, the station celebrated its 200th anniversary last July.
“Since having Scott on board, he has already made a huge difference in this department,” Lynd said. “He is one of my go-to guys, and whenever I ask him to do something he is always ready to give freely of his time, talents and ability.”
“I have about four Soldiers who volunteer for Sackets Harbor Fire, and I can’t stress enough the importance of volunteering to any organization. You will get more out of the experience than you ever put in to it,” he said.
According to Lynd, as with all volunteer fire departments, membership has not always remained constant, yet the only thing that has remained constant has been the fire department’s 200 years of faithful service to the community. Sackets Harbor has immense pride throughout, and it is shown by the financial support that is given to the fire department and other departments and organizations within the community.
“Without the community, there would be no Sackets Harbor Fire Department,” Lynd said. “I truly enjoy giving back to a community that has embraced me with open arms.”
According to Lynd, the physical demand of being a firefighter whether they are a volunteer or not can be exhausting at times, but as the chief, he constantly monitors his members to make sure they are never to the point where they are a danger to themselves or others.
“I believe that Soldiers like Scott volunteer because giving of oneself to the public service of others and giving to the greater good is in the nature, values and ethos of all Soldiers,” Lynd said. “I greatly appreciate them being a part of my team.”
“Being a volunteer firefighter has been something I have wanted to do since I was little,” Hurley said. “Seeing my mother and stepfather volunteer for many years has made me want to give back and help people in the same way.”
Hurley, a native of Grand Rivers, Ky., has a wife, Julie, and two sons, Brandon and Michael, who currently reside in Sumter, S.C.
“I got into volunteering by being the assistant coach for my son’s baseball team. I enjoy having the opportunity to give back to the local community,” Hurley said. “Sacket Harbor residents really support Soldiers, so this gives me a chance to help those people.”
Hurley has been in the military for more than 18 years, and during that time, he has had several deployments to Iraq, Bosnia and Albania. He currently serves as the noncommissioned officer in charge of his section, which makes him responsible for 24 personnel.
For more than a year, Hurley has maintained his military position during the day, and he continues to volunteer as a firefighter for the Sackets Harbor Fire Department at night.
“The demand creates a hectic schedule at times, but with the support of my Family at home via telephone, and my military Family at work, I am able to set priorities and balance my schedule accordingly,” Hurley said. Whenever he has any free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.
The demands of the daily operations of a Soldier can be a great task at times, but according to Maj. Charles T. Cain, brigade S6, officer in charge, HHC, 10th CAB, the demands just help to develop Hurley’s immense talent and ability to be able to work well under pressure.
“Being a firefighter and a noncommissioned officer in the Army brings overlapping requirements as well as constructive training opportunities, both of which contribute in a distinctly positive manner and ultimately makes Sgt. 1st Class Hurley a very special team player,” Cain said.
Not only did Hurley choose to be a volunteer firefighter, he has chosen to volunteer for one of the oldest fire departments in the state of New York. The Sackets Harbor Fire Department has been around since 1814, and according to Sackets Harbor Fire Chief Randolph Lynd, the station celebrated its 200th anniversary last July.
“Since having Scott on board, he has already made a huge difference in this department,” Lynd said. “He is one of my go-to guys, and whenever I ask him to do something he is always ready to give freely of his time, talents and ability.”
“I have about four Soldiers who volunteer for Sackets Harbor Fire, and I can’t stress enough the importance of volunteering to any organization. You will get more out of the experience than you ever put in to it,” he said.
According to Lynd, as with all volunteer fire departments, membership has not always remained constant, yet the only thing that has remained constant has been the fire department’s 200 years of faithful service to the community. Sackets Harbor has immense pride throughout, and it is shown by the financial support that is given to the fire department and other departments and organizations within the community.
“Without the community, there would be no Sackets Harbor Fire Department,” Lynd said. “I truly enjoy giving back to a community that has embraced me with open arms.”
According to Lynd, the physical demand of being a firefighter whether they are a volunteer or not can be exhausting at times, but as the chief, he constantly monitors his members to make sure they are never to the point where they are a danger to themselves or others.
“I believe that Soldiers like Scott volunteer because giving of oneself to the public service of others and giving to the greater good is in the nature, values and ethos of all Soldiers,” Lynd said. “I greatly appreciate them being a part of my team.”
