Online Editor’s note: This page is provided for arhive purposes. Please be to visit our web feature.

Editor’s Note: This story is the third of a three-part series about the men and women who serve with the Ames Police, the Department of Public Safety and the Ames Fire Department.

Today, Brad Jerkins is fulfilling his traditional duty as the lowest-ranking firefighter on call.

List in hand, the Ames firefighter will go shopping for the essentials Ames’ oldest fire station — Fire Station No.1 — will need for the next 24 hours the crew will spend living and working together.

Just after the 7 a.m. meeting, the more than six-foot Jerkins squeezes himself into his girlfriend’s Pontiac Grand Prix for the trip to Fareway, 619 Burnett Ave.

“It was an accident, really,” Jerkins says about becoming a firefighter. “I always wanted to be in the Navy.”

Growing up in Knoxville, Jerkins earned money finding odd jobs.

“I think my first job was a lifeguard,” he says. “It was great — I got to watch girls all day long.”

After high school graduation, Jerkins attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant to study computer aided design.

Jerkins passed a fire station on his way to class one day — a station displaying a sign recruiting volunteer firefighters. After some serious consideration, Jerkins left college to become a volunteer EMT for Knoxville.

“My first call was a smell of smoke at a truck stop,” Jerkins recalls.

The rush of adrenaline and realization of the dedication firefighters have attracted Jerkins.

“I found out that this is what I needed to do,” he says.

That was before his knee went out.

Jerkins applied at the Ames Fire Department to a full time position — a position that would pay more and have greater benefits, significantly different from his first job.

While still a probe — a firefighter with one year of service — Jerkins had to apply for sick leave to rest. He has just recently returned to the job.

“Going to the store is an exact science,” he says, reaching down to pick up a half gallon of vanilla ice cream.

“28.15,” says the woman behind the checkout counter. Jerkins pulls out a fistfull of dollar bills.

“It’s an urban myth that the city pays for our food,” he says.

All in the family

Sometimes firefighting runs in the family. Through much of his childhood in Postville, Ames firefighter John Sebastian’s father, Milo Sebastian, served as a volunteer firefighter.

But firefighting wouldn’t call for Sebastian until years later.

After graduating from Iowa State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Sebastian landed a job with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

After six years with the DOT, Sebastian decided to become a volunteer firefighter in Huxley.

In 2001, he applied and took a test for the Ames Fire Department.

Sebastian, known as “Sea Bass” to his friends and colleagues, was accepted and joined the department.

He decided to remain a volunteer in Huxley.

“We get to do a lot of fun stuff,” he says of his job. “It’s better than having some desk job.”

Sebastian normally works on Rescue 3, a multipurpose medical assist truck, and Ladder 3 at Station No. 3 which was built a year ago.

But today he’s positioned at Station No. 1.

Sebastian is known for his proficiency with the computer software used by the Ames Fire Department.

“I have some unique knowledge about the software,” Sebastian says. “I tend to get a lot of calls.”

On a run

Just before 4:20 p.m., a tone reverberates through the halls of Station No. 1 as Sebastian stands upstairs in the station’s TV room.

“403 North Hyland — have a report of smoke in the building — some language barriers,” the dispatcher says.

“Station one copy,” the intercom squawks.

Sebastian moves quickly downstairs, heading for the truck. Lt. Lynn Rahfeldt jumps into Car One — a white GMC Yukon — and flips on the lights and siren.

“Car one copy, possible smoke in the kitchen area,” Rahfeldt says into the CB radio, pulling the Yukon out of the garage.

Engine Two from Station No. 2 is dispatched on the call and arrives shortly before Rahfeldt. Several firefighters are already inside the duplex.

Rahfeldt jumps out of Car One and walks toward the house. A strong smell of overcooked food lingers in the air. Rahfeldt checks the duplex and assists firefighters with locating the source, but doesn’t find any problem.

Ten minutes later, Rahfeldt climbs back into the Yukon and returns to the station.

“Communication is a big part of our success,” he says. “We have to be real adjustable, and that’s what makes this job fun.”

All for the family

Born and raised on a farm in West Liberty, Steve Buser would one day find himself in a life-changing situation.

After graduating from high school, Buser became a mechanic, specializing in air conditioner and radiator units.

“I really enjoyed it,” he says.

One day while working on an air conditioner, Buser was put into a position that spawned thoughts of a career change.

Hewas was required to administer CPR to an individual going into cardiac arrest. However, the attempt was unsuccessful.

“The whole experience touched me and moved me,” he says.

Despite the enormous feeling of loss Buser felt, he says the feeling of assisting someone in need was rewarding.

Buser looked to his brother — a volunteer firefighter — for guidance.

Buser decided he would take a position as a volunteer firefighter in Lone Tree and train to be an EMT-B, an emergency medical technician with a basic level of medical knowledge.

Buser moved to Ames after applying and accepting a job as a firefighter.

His wife and 5-year-old live in town and stop by to see him after school and work.

Buser says a social life is sometimes difficult because of the long hours, but his family is still his biggest priority.

Those Close to You

John Packer has lived in Ames his entire life. He was hired by the Ames Fire Department in 1992. He graduated from Ames High in 1976.

Packer, son of R. Allan Packer, former director of ISU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, decided to certify and become a mechanical welder for the City of Ames.

After countless disputes for many years with his boss about mechanical procedures, Packer opted for a change.

He applied at the City of Ames power plant and the Ames Fire Department.

“Hell, I didn’t even know what the job involved,” Packer said about signing up for the firefighter test.

Packer says he was called back after passing a rigorous physical and mental ability test and ranked in the top 10 for applicants.

“I was only on for about six months when a good friend of my folks had a heart attack,” Packer says.

Packer said he got a good taste of reality when he was sent on the medical call.

“You know, some made it and some didn’t,” Packer says about those he has known in the community that needed assistance.

One day, however, the reinforcement of his skills was closer to home. Packer’s parents lived nearby in North Ames and spoke with John on a regular basis. One day, Packer’s father had a heart attack and fell to the ground.

Packer’s mother called her son on instinct.

Packer arrived at his parents’ house and began performing CPR as his mother dialed 911.

“[By calling me], she saved him by 12 minutes,” Packer says.

Paramedics used a defibrillator to jump-start Allan’s heart. It began beating again and Allan was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Allan lived for another two and a half years before passing away.

“You wonder if you did the right thing,” Packer says. “[With dad] the lights were on, but nobody was home.”

John pauses.

“[With this job] you get off duty and hug your kids because someone is not with theirs,” he says.

Jean says she feels lucky about being close to her son.

“I’m real proud of him,” she says.

And Packer has been able to help friends in ways other than medical treatment.

“It’s not always CPR or checking heart rate or things like that,” he says.

“Sometimes there are other people that need attention because they are so shook up.”

Packer has made phone calls to loved ones, secured a residence for a hospitalized friend and given emotional support to those grieving.

“I found you can play a part that way,” he says. ” You don’t always have to be hands-on.”