Dugout to turnout: Gustafson named Resident of the Year

Cheney Fire Department resident Tyler Gustafson found his way into the firefighting profession through a rather unique way - baseball.

A 2013 graduate of Cheney High School, Gustafson played for the Blackhawks all four years of his school career, and like many other enthusiasts of America's pastime, each summer for the American Legion Summerhawks. But it was his post-graduation experience with the American Legion Triple A Blue Devils that Gustafson got his first exposure to being a firefighter, courtesy of another CHS graduate and Fire Department resident - Drew Ableman.

Ableman was an assistant with the Blue Devils, and during the course of the summer, talked to Gustafson - who was already interested in some form of community service profession - about aspects of being a firefighter. By August, Gustafson had signed on with the Cheney department as a volunteer, and last month was named the Cheney Fire Department's 2015 Resident of the Year.

"It's a great way to be a vital part of the community," Gustafson said of the service. "It's been a really cool thing for me."

After volunteering, Gustafson completed the required four-month training in tactics, equipment and other aspects of firefighting at the West Plains Fire Academy, conducted by Spokane County Fire District 10. After transitioning to residency with the department in January 2014, Gustafson not only continued with in-house training but also took the four-month emergency medical technician course, graduating in May as an EMT-Basic.

And that's just the firefighting aspect. To be a resident with the Cheney Fire Department, firefighters must be working towards a college degree and must carry a minimum 12-credit load.

Gustafson and his three fellow residents at the fire department pull the same shift load as Cheney's full-time staff - 24 hours on, 48 hours off. School work factors into the mix, both off-site classroom work and on-site study.

For Gustafson, that means trips to Spokane where he is majoring in English and working towards national teacher certification at Gonzaga University. Gustafson was recently named to the fall semester Dean's List at GU.

"It's like being a full-time student and having a full-time job," he added.

Cheney Fire Chief Mike Winters said all of the residents do a "fantastic job" balancing the demands of job and school. The four are all taking upper division courses, and frequently utilize the department's whiteboard to work out problems in courses such as algebra and physics.

"In today's fire service, you need a degree if you want to advance," Winters added. "It's good they're getting this right off the bat."

Gustafson was chosen Resident of the Year by a vote of the department's full-time staff, which are able to work with all of the residents via a three-month, rotating shift schedule. Winters said the residents were evaluated on five criteria: dedication, respect, honesty, teamwork and appreciation for the fire service.

"Tyler does a great job for us," Winters said. "He's always looking for stuff to do (around the station).

Gustafson hopes to make the fire service his career. After his residency is completed, he said he plans to continue as a volunteer, possibly working in Spokane County as an EMT as well as getting more involved with wildland fire units. And, he will have a teaching degree to fall back on as well, possible doing substitute work.

Working as a resident firefighter requires good time management skills, Gustafson said, as well as skills he feels are important to being a good firefighter – compassion and care for the community, valuing being part of a team and always looking to learn new things.

"You're just trying to get better at what you do," he said.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.