At U. of South, students take up hoses to fight fires

SEWANEE, Tenn. -- Some students say choosing a school, a major, a fraternity or a sorority are the most important decisions of their college life.

Students at the University of the South also can choose to fight.

Fires, that is.

Students compete to become members of the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department, which serves both the campus and community.

"I've always had an interest in being a firefighter, and this is one of the reasons I came here," said Drew Brantley, of Danielsville, Ga., who is a junior and a student firefighter.

The local fire department consists of about 40 volunteers drawn from the community, as well as Sewanee faculty, staff and students.

The department operates three pumpers, a transport van and two four-wheel-drive vehicles and provides protection on the Domain of the University of the South, the 10,000-acre site of college-owned land that makes up the community of Sewanee.

Firefighters train weekly and are certified in standard fire operations, mountain rescue and vehicle extrication, officials said.

"I definitely think people realize the commitment we make," said student chief Robert Chapman, a senior from Spartanburg, S.C. "It is respected on and off campus."

Students are eligible to join the department only when they are freshmen, and as many as 30 students may begin the 15- to 20-hour training course, university officials said.

Tryouts in the spring determine which six students are selected. Those chosen commit themselves to serving until graduation.

Three members from each class are always on call, and students take their tasks and training very seriously, Brantley said.

"We have a lot of pride in the department and its traditions," he said.

Student firefighters can move into their own dormitory, Wiggins Hall, at the start of their sophomore year.

"It was a big honor to be chosen to join the fire department and move into the dorm," Brantley said. He said he spends "more time with these guys" than with anyone else on or off campus.

"There is a certain kind of bond that goes beyond a best friend," Brantley said. "My life is in their hands, and they feel the same about me."

Will Pollard said his experience with the community and other firefighters is like nothing he ever imagined.

"This comes down to life-and-death situations," he said.

The junior from Atlanta said he came to Sewanee intending to spend four years with the swim team and a fraternity but has no regrets about his freshman-year decision.

"I don't really know how to explain it, but it is a massive responsibility you take on," Pollard said. "Before, I never gave it (firefighting) much thought. Now I love it and hope to join a paid department after graduation."

The newest and most senior collegiate firefighters agreed that Sewanee merges school and community.

"It has been a dream of mine since I heard about Sewanee," said Will Campbell, recently selected to become a firefighter.

A Dallas native, Campbell said it's easy to spot new student firefighters because they carry pagers and the men are given "buzz" haircuts when selected to join the department. But Campbell said a volunteer's contribution to the community also is recognized.

"Monday, I showed up for class and my teachers congratulated me," Campbell said.

Chapman said his understanding of the department has changed since his freshman days.

"We are not adrenaline junkies," he said. "If there are no fires, if it is a quiet year, we like that."

A firefighter's training teaches a great deal about handling responsibility and about life, Chapman said.

"It was the best decision I've made at Sewanee, if not my whole life," he said. "I've never given it a second thought."