Page 29 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Summer 2022 - Online Magazine

FIRST RESPONDERS

Asked about “ couple of When asked what he would like
his most It is a great honor to serve my guys hit people to know about him and
rewarding [in a tragic his colleagues, Chief Buck said
experience, community. I grew up in a family full accident he would rather people think of
Cory said, "I of public servants... I strive to make in Jan. them as first responders instead of
don't think our department the most professional 2020.] Eric just firefighters because they are
it was one organization it can be through quality Hill died, involved in helping people in all
particular training and proactive leadership. and Matt kinds of trouble. "We're servants
event. It's – Chief Cory Buck Dawson and have a calling to help others.
just the survived Sometimes, it’s fun, but other times
day-to-day but not so much."
enjoyment ” suffered
of helping serious At Shallowater, we are proud of all
the young fire fighters learn the injuries. Matt has made great strides our First Responders, and we are
job well and then go home to their in his recovery, and he is a great grateful to have such an experienced
families. Our fire department is father to his family, but it’s hard on and committed chief leading them
getting younger every day, and all of us that he had to retire. LPD by example.
that's good for the sustainability of Officer Nicholas Reyna was also
the department." killed. It was a horrible experience
for the department to go through.
"Most of the time, we are doing Before Matt, Eric, and Nicholas got
things that would be scary for other hit, we used to have just one fire
people, but they become ordinary engine at a wreck. But now, many
for us. I've pulled people out of times, we'll have three to protect
burning houses; some lived, and everyone at the scene."
others didn't. There are times we end
up in places we don't want to be, like The job is hard on families. "We
family disturbances or bar fights, spend quite a bit more time with
where a gun can be pulled, and we the people we work with than
hope we make it out of there. There with our families. They have to
have only been a couple of those for sacrifice a lot. My wife Angela
me, but the family situations can be has to do a lot of things with the
scarier than the fires." kids without me, but she never
complains. She has always been
"We also see a lot of car wrecks. supportive. Sometimes I’m leaving
That's when you have to really have the house, just when it's time to put
your head on a swivel because time the kids to bed.” (The Bucks have
is so important for the survival of two children: Grayson, age 6, and
passengers. As the Fire Chief, I take Micah, 9.)
wrecks very seriously. LFR had a

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Lubbock Senior Link 29