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It’s not often you get to live out your childhood dreams. Landon Chao gets to do it almost every day.
Growing up in Crete, Nebraska, Chao idolized his local firefighters. Today, the senior criminology and criminal justice major is a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the very same department, serving his community and advancing his career goals.
“Ever since I was a 6-year-old kid, I’ve always loved firefighters. I still have an old toy fire truck that I used to play with at my house,” he said. “I just idolized them so much.”
Chao jumped at the chance to serve his hometown when he saw that his local fire department was seeking volunteers.
“I looked at these brave men and women with so much admiration when I was little that I thought, ‘You know what? I’ll give it a shot,’" he said. "I wanted to see if I could live up to that image as an adult.”
As he put out fires and responded to medical emergencies in his community, Chao discovered more about the different professions within the fire service. In learning about the job of a fire marshal, he saw a connection between his criminal justice classes and his firefighting experience that shifted his career goals.
“Understanding the fire marshal’s role has really drawn me in further — it combines law enforcement and criminal justice with firefighting,” Chao said. “Right now, I’m really getting both the experience and the education to pursue that role after graduation.”
One major part of his Husker education that’s helping Chao prepare? All the writing he’s done.
“When I first joined, I didn’t realize how important writing would be in fire/EMS,” he said. “I’ve gained so many essential skills in the department, but writing is the number one skill I’ve practiced in my major that’s helping me prepare to be a fire marshal.”
Even as he looks ahead to a future in firefighting, he’s still trying to enjoy what he’s already achieved.
“In a lot of ways, I'm living the dream right now: I'm putting out fires; I'm driving fire trucks; I’m helping patients in the back of ambulances. I’m very fortunate to work alongside so many heroes and couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”
