Few careers embody courage and commitment quite like firefighting. And few people live up to the role like Vonnie, a senior living resident at Holiday Chateau at Harveston in Temecula, California. With a lifetime of stories, a passion for helping others and a name as unique as his journey, Vonnie shares what it was like to serve as a fire engineer.
Q: Is Vonnie a nickname?
A: No, Vonnie is my birth name. It’s not short for anything. And, no, I’m not named after anyone. It’s always just been me, Vonnie!
Q: Were you a paid or volunteer firefighter? For what city?
A: I was a full-time, paid firefighter and fire engineer for the city of Fullerton in Orange County, California. I served from 1959 to 1989 and retired at 55. Funny enough, I’ve been retired longer than I actually worked!
Q: Did you have a different career before or after becoming a firefighter? A: Yes. Before joining the fire department, I worked for the Standard Oil Company doing cathodic protection, a process that uses electric currents to protect pipelines from rusting. I did that for about three years.
During my time with the fire department, we worked 24 hours on, 24 hours off. On my days off, I ran my own maintenance company serving businesses, churches and homes in the community. That eventually evolved into an interior/exterior painting business, which I continued until my retirement from the department.
Q: For those who may not know, what does a fire engineer do?
A: I was responsible for the fire engine itself. That meant operating the water pumps that powered the hoses, ensuring proper water pressure and, of course, safely driving and navigating to the scene of an emergency. I also served at times as the personal driver for the fire chief. In addition to emergency calls, we maintained the firehouse, serviced equipment and rotated cooking duties.
Q: What was your role during an emergency call?
A: As the fire engineer, my job was to drive the engine, operate all the mechanical equipment, manage the hose and pump systems, and make sure everything worked safely and effectively under pressure, literally!
Q: You once saved a life while off duty. Will you share that story?
A: Sure. It’s hard to pick just one instance because resuscitation was a regular part of the job before I became an engineer. But there was one day when I was off duty, eating at a restaurant, and a man began choking. I performed the Heimlich maneuver and was able to save him. He was nearly unconscious from lack of air.
Q: What did it feel like to save a life like that?
A: That’s a tough one to describe. It’s a rush of relief and joy. It kind of feels like delivering a baby, I guess. You’re just so grateful to be able to perform the task and know you made a difference.
Q: What do you miss most about being a fire engineer?
A: Definitely the camaraderie. There was a strong bond with the other firefighters, and I had a real connection to the city where I lived and raised my family. Helping people gave the job real meaning. It made all the hard work worthwhile.
Q: What’s a common misconception about firefighters?
A: People often think firefighters just sit around the firehouse playing cards. In reality, we were constantly studying, learning new techniques, keeping up with medical protocols and maintaining equipment.
And we didn’t have GPS back then. You had to know every street, alley and business in town by heart to be effective during an emergency.
Q: What do you enjoy most about living at Holiday?
A: The people, the friends I’ve made here. That’s the best part.
Q: What would you say to someone considering a move to Holiday?
A: I encourage everyone to move in because they’ll be very happy with their decision. In the old days, they didn’t have places like this. I couldn’t ask for a better place to be. I love the people and the management is just outstanding. They do a great job on the activities. If you get bored, it’s your own fault!
Vonnie’s story reminds us that true service is much more than a job. It’s about heart, hard work and preserving a sense of humanity.
Residents at Holiday Senior Living communities offer lifetimes of stories to share. Meet more residents like Vonnie. Find a Holiday community near you.
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