First Responders Day — Jackson's Gentry and his motivation to help

Michael Gentry clearly recalls the moment when he decided to be a first responder.

Gentry, an emergency medical technician (EMT) with Jackson Fire Rescue and also a firefighter, said his inspiration was a family incident.

"My grandpa's barn burned on the family farm and that kind of drove me to the passion to join (up)," said Gentry, a Jackson High School graduate who later earned a Fire Science degree from Alabama's Columbia Southern University.

"My grandparents live real close to me (and) I would check in on them every day before I went to high school. The morning their barn burned down, I was stuck at school and couldn't really help or be there for Grandpa and Grandma at that time. Gordonville, Jackson and Cape Girardeau all responded. That really piqued my interest in joining to be there the next time."

Gentry, who is married with two small children, does double duty these days. An EMT with Jackson Fire Rescue, he is also chief of Gordonville Fire Protection District.

"I've wanted to be (a first responder) since age 17 when I joined the volunteer service, progressing through the ranks at Gordonville, and it dawned on me over time that I can do more and serve more," said Gentry, 30, who joined Jackson Fire Rescue in 2015.

Gentry confesses not knowing what crises lay ahead each day can put a strain on relationships.

"(My wife) worries all the time (but) that's one of the things that comes with this work. What helps us is I was already part of the service before we got together, so she's always been around it, and she's real supportive," said Gentry, who has additional training in hazardous materials and is a fire investigator.

Legacy

Gentry has a close-knit support network of people who understand the danger he and others face each day.

"My uncle was a firefighter in the Navy, and my dad did a brief stint as a Scott City volunteer firefighter. My mom was actually a cop — working for SEMO's Department of Public Safety and for the City of Cape Girardeau. With Mom's passion and the public service knowledge she had as a cop, I took that realm and joined the fire service."

Incidents

Gentry said there is a "handbasket" of calls handled by Jackson Fire Rescue.

"A cat in a tree, an animal stuck in a pipe, traffic accidents, heart attacks, a house catches fire while cooking and rescue situations in flash floods are all stuff that comes up all of a sudden," Gentry said.

"Calls involving young children or a big fire with people trapped are situations that can definitely get the blood pressure up and anxiety kicking in."

Gentry said he takes solace in all the training Jackson Fire Rescue officials encourage him to take on an ongoing basis, plus the security of working on a crew.

"It's kind of nice working in a community where you also went to school. I've gotten a few 'thank you' shout outs on Facebook, and I'll get text messages saying, 'Hey, I appreciate what you did for my dad or my mom.'"

Advice

Asked what counsel he might give to someone considering becoming an EMT or a firefighter, Gentry said it all starts with what he calls a "spark" of interest.

"I would say take that spark and try building it into a flame. Reach out to those in the community who do serve currently and get a feel for the work. Then comes schooling. Learn as much as you can and then apply."

Gentry said EMTs on Jackson Fire Rescue work on three-person crews.

"When you're on a small crew, you have help making decisions, and teamwork is so important," he said.