fire chief, n. the highest-ranking officer of a fire department Over the years, I've met hundreds of fire chiefs from all over the world! Today, I'd like you to meet one of my very favorites: Chief Robin Paulsgrove of the Arlington Fire Department in Arlington, Texas. Chief Paulsgrove recently sat down with me to play a game of "20 Questions." Here's what he had to say! Question #1: When you were a little boy, did you dream about being a fire chief? Chief Paulsgrove: Not really, Sparky. I thought that being a firefighter was an exciting job. I grew up respecting the work that firefighters do and admiring them for always helping people, but I didn't know I would ever be a fire chief.   Question #2: Did you have to go to college to be a fire chief? Chief Paulsgrove: Yes. Things have changed a lot in the fire service. There are some very good fire chiefs who don't have college degrees, but more and more, a college education is required.   Question #3: Are there any female fire chiefs? Chief Paulsgrove: Sure there are! And more and more all the time. There are a number of female fire chiefs in some very large counties in Maryland and Georgia. The chief in Madison, Wisconsin, and the operations chief in San Diego, California, are women, too!   Question #4: How long have you been a fire chief? Chief Paulsgrove: I have been the fire chief in Arlington for more than two years. (Arlington is where the Texas Rangers major league baseball team plays!) Before moving to Arlington, I was the fire chief in Austin, the capital of Texas!   Question #5: What advice do you have for kids who want to be firefighters? Chief Paulsgrove: Kids who want to be firefighters and fire chiefs need to stay in school and study hard. I would tell them to read about firefighting and emergency medicine. And pay attention to parents and teachers and other community leaders. The fire service needs women and men who are prepared to be good role models.   Question #6: So, what does a fire chief do? Chief Paulsgrove: That's a tough question, Sparky. It really varies from city to city. Most people probably think that a fire chief is in charge of every emergency scene, but that's not true. There are other people in my department who are responsible for emergency incidents. I like to think of my job as the boss of a really large company. I spend a lot of my time on the types of things that other bosses do: developing a budget, planning for the future, and solving problems. It's a big job, but even on the most frustrating day, I know that I'm helping everyone who lives in Arlington stay safer.   Question #7: How many fire trucks do you have? Chief Paulsgrove: We have sixteen engines that are used to pump water at fires and five truck companies. We also have a hazardous material unit, a rescue unit, and seven brush trucks that we use for grass fires. We even have a boat that we use for water rescues!   Question #8: Why are fire trucks red? Chief Paulsgrove: Not all fire trucks are red, Sparky. I've seen fire trucks that are red, yellow, white, and even lime green! A few years ago, some researchers tried to figure out what color truck was best. Some thought it would be smart to paint the trucks a bright color so people could see them better. Others thought it would be best to paint the trucks red because that's what people are used to seeing. It's different in every city. In Arlington, our trucks are red with white tops.   Question #9: How many fires does your department put out every year? Chief Paulsgrove: In 1998, we put out 448 building fires. We also extinguished 688 grass fires, 381 vehicle fires, and 24 other kinds of fire. This adds up to 1,541 fires for the year!   Question #10: What other kinds of jobs do firefighters do? Chief Paulsgrove: It is important to understand that putting out fires is not the only thing we do. Last year, we responded to 12,005 emergency medical calls and more than 500 rescue calls. We also teach classes in schools every year and help businesses in our city keep their buildings safer. In Arlington, we say that our job is to "Get out of the station and into the community."   Question #11: What is the best part of your job? Chief Paulsgrove: I get to solve problems and make positive things happen. I get to see first-hand how our dedicated firefighters make a difference. While it is exciting to respond to an emergency with red lights flashing and sirens blaring, it is satisfying to know that the work we do helps prevent some fires and injuries before they happen.   Question #12: What is the worst part of your job? Chief Paulsgrove: Well, Sparky, I would have to say that the most unpleasant part of my job is seeing people, particularly children, who are hurt and suffering. When we are on the scene of an emergency, our firefighters feel that hurt, too.   Question #13: Do firefighters really slide down the poles at the fire station? Chief Paulsgrove: In some cities, the fire stations do have poles that the firefighters slide down, but in Arlington, we don't have fire poles. Most of our stations are only one story high. The only fire pole in Arlington belongs to one of our Assistant Chiefs. When he built a new house, he had a fire pole installed!   Question #14: What's the most important rule you want kids to know about fire safety? Chief Paulsgrove: Fire safety is everyone's job. You can help me by learning how to be a safe kid. Remind your parents to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and practice a home fire escape plan with your parents. Fire safety is important, but it can be fun, too. And by the way, I would consider it a personal favor if you would wear your helmet when you're on your bike or your skates!   Question #15: Now I'd like to ask you some questions "just for fun!" Ready? Chief Paulsgrove: As ready as I'm going to be!   Question #16: What is your favorite food, your favorite TV show, and your favorite movie? Chief Paulsgrove: Hey! That's three questions! My favorite food is Tex-Mex. Nothing beats a great enchilada with a little guacamole on the side! My favorite TV show is "Law & Order". And my favorite movie? "101 Dalmatians", of course!   Question #17: If you weren't a fire chief, what would you be? Chief Paulsgrove: I guess if I couldn't be fire chief, I would want to be a teacher. My wife, Yvonne Casarez Paulsgrove, is a first grade teacher. She works very hard and knows that she has helped young people grow up safe and healthy.   Question #18: Do you have any hobbies? Chief Paulsgrove: I love to go see the Texas Rangers play baseball. And I love to see my son play in the band and my daughter dance with the drill team at Martin High School football games!   Question #19: Why do firefighters wear red suspenders? Chief Paulsgrove: To keep their pants from falling down! That's an old joke! Nice try, Sparky!   Question #20: One last question, who is your favorite fire dog? Chief Paulsgrove: Come on Sparky, give me a break! Check out our other "Cool to Do" pages: Firework safety Bike Safety Earthday Hunt for Poisons Sparky's Frame Happy Hoilday Happy Thanksgiving Team Up for Fire Safety Cool off this summer Teachers are Cool Earthday '02 Valentine's Day Snowdog! Countdown to a safe holiday "Turkey Tips" place cards Say thanks to your firefighters Back to school cool Countdown to the Fourth of July Sparky's Bike Safety Tips Sparky's Easter/Passover greeting cards Sparky's Safety Rap Origami Sparky Puppet Sparky's ABCs of Fire Safety Breeze into Spring with a Sparky windsock 20 Questions with an Emergency Room Doctor Sparky's Snack Time! Make Your Mark! 20 Questions for a Fire Chief Making Your Great Escape Fun   Sparky® and Sparky the Fire Dog® are registered trademarks of the NFPA.
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