By Christian Warren Freed : Photos by VMA studios
Life sure has changed here in our little piece of the world over the last decade. Holly Springs continues to grow in all areas. We’ve earned the reputation of being one of the best places to raise children and having one the lowest crime rates in the state. Not bad for a place you could have driven through twenty-five years ago and never known it was here.
One resident (and perhaps the most famous city employee) has watched his world change over the last eight years. He was only a few pounds when he first stepped foot inside Fire Station One and now, fully grown and experienced, Cinder is the talk of the town. As the unofficial face of the Holly Springs Fire Department, he watches the brave men and women in uniform rush into action when the alarm sounds, scampers down the halls in pursuit of his favorite tennis ball and serves as a constant reminder that they are all part of the same family.
The men and women of the Holly Springs Fire Department have diligently served the people for a long time and will continue to do so for decades to come. They are a close-knit group who place complete trust and faith in one another and serve Holly Springs out of a sense of commitment. Sure, the roster changes from time to time, but the seventy-odd firefighters spread across town act out of a sense of selfless service that is becoming a rare quality in modern society. Let’s face it, there are plenty of songs out there about catching grenades and running into burning buildings, but you’ll never see one of the recording artists do that. It takes a special breed to willingly place themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis, even in our quiet little part of the world.
There is no glitz or glamour involved. Ask any of them what they think of the endless television shows about firefighting, and you’ll get an eye roll and, if you’re not careful, and earful about how badly they mispresent. I get that, but what do we really know about what goes on inside those firehouse walls?
That’s where Joe Harasti comes in. Bright and full of vigor, Joe has done his time in uniform. After a brief stint in the Army and an even briefer stint trapped behind a desk in a suit and tie, Joe decided he needed a change. Twenty years later he is front and center at the Holly Springs Fire Department, and Cinder’s best friend and handler.
Together, they represent a special team created to bridge the gap between the public and the department. Joe is one of less than a handful in his position in the entire county. Chances are you’ve seen him around and didn’t even realize it. Joe is the ‘everyman.’ His easy-going attitude and jolly attitude convey confidence and charm as he takes you through Fire Station One. Be careful where you step; Cinder is sure to be right there underfoot. After all, it’s his house, too.
I got the chance to visit with Joe for a few hours and listen as he described how hard his people train. Just like anyone in uniform, these folks are constantly breaking a sweat or sitting through seemingly endless rounds of classroom instruction in order to better serve us.
How humbling it that? As civilians, it is often easy to take these things for granted. That and the misbelief that every fire station has a pole being used every time a call comes in. Joe was eager to burst my bubble on that one. In fact, in over two decades of service, he has never slid down a pole or served in a station with one.
As Cinder played fetch with the EMS gang, Joe guided us from the common area with its nice chairs and televisions. (And, yes, they do have a fire extinguisher converted into a lamp, à la A Christmas Story.) The kitchen was surprisingly small considering there are three shifts calling the station home. We headed down the barracks hallway where they have individual rooms.
I was surprised to find out, on average, these folks only work about ten days a month, but boy are they long days. Shifts can last for days. Joe confessed that the firefighters spend one third of their lives at the fire station.
We then headed into the vehicle bay, and, for a small town, they have a lot of trucks and fancy equipment. The largest of the trucks easily costs over $1 million, and that’s just sticker price.
Naturally, Cinder hopped on the front bumper of one truck and gave his best well-rehearsed pose with the sunlight streaming down on him. Don’t we all wish we were that photogenic? Joe went on to regale us with stories of people from around the state recognizing Cinder as they continue to raise fire safety awareness.
In addition to responding to fires and automobile accidents, our firefighters offer plenty of services:
Free blood pressure checks at each station
Free home smoke alarm checks
Free tours of the stations. (While while you may drop in at any time, it’s better to call ahead and schedule an appointment!)
Various educational programs on fire safety (including CPR) for everyone
EMS staff on hand
Injury and fall prevention
Safety in your home
As a certified combat lifesaver, I can’t stress enough the need for at least one person in your home knowing the fundamentals of basic CPR. It is the difference between life and death. Just ask Joe. He and the others have attended countless calls that would send chills down our spines. A quick look at the call board in the common area showed close to ten active or just completed calls across Holly Springs and Wake County. None of them were fire related.
It’s not all business, however. Look on the wall and you’ll see a plaque with the many times they’ve won the chili cookoff. Sorry “Boys in Blue,” but you might need to pick that up a little. A few times a year Station One has demonstrations on basic firefighting (no flames, of course) and you can watch as they tear apart a car like a rusty can to get to the passengers.
The firefighters are friendly and willing to answer your questions and, you know what, pretty darn proud of who they are and what they do and, perhaps most of all, to call Holly Springs home as they continue ensuring our safety day after day.
Head over to the Town website if you are interested in learning more: https://www.hollyspringsnc.us/191/Fire.
