5 Questions With . . .
On television, firefighters are made to look like people with herculean strength who overcome
relationship woes and combat fiery challenges in a single episode. But we decided to speak with two
members of the Lodi Fire Department to get the real scoop.
Ryan Smart
Fire Marshal, Lodi Fire Department
Smart is a Battalion Chief who oversees the fire prevention bureau and organizes all fire prevention
activities for the Lodi Fire Department, including inspections, plan reviews and preparedness plans for
the city. He started his fire career as a volunteer in 2001. He worked for the Stockton Fire Department
for 22 years and recently accepted the position as fire marshal for the LFD a few months ago.
Besides fighting fires, what other kinds of emergencies do you respond to?
Our primary emergencies are medical emergencies. That could be a typical medical illness, but we also
respond to vehicle accidents, where we render medical care and extrication if someone is pinned in. We
also take priority of containment of hazardous materials and heavy rescues in confined spaces, like in
underground tanks, pipes and tunnels.
How can I make my home safe from fire and other hazards?
It’s still true what we’ve heard since childhood:
Make sure that there is a fire detector and carbon dioxide detector. Make sure that the batteries are
regularly changed (although newer detectors come with sealed batteries) and keep an extinguisher readily
available.
With families, we go out to schools and teach about emergency preparedness plans. You don’t want
to think about what to do when you need it. You have to have a plan ahead of time.
One way to do this: cleanliness is very helpful. Kitchen fires and electrical fires - in many cases
they could be avoided. They spread quicker because of the elements around them. A light coat of grease
can spread fire much quicker than if it were wiped off and clean. An accumulation of paper, trash, mail
close to an ignition source will contribute to the fire spread, too.
We are all guilty of being busy, but we have to discipline ourselves to be prepared for any potential
situation.
In the end, the result of many different fires can be similar in nature, but drastic differences in
outcomes, depending on the environment.
Have you ever been burned during a fire? Does it happen often?
I have, and it happens, but it’s not common. I’ve had second-degree burns, but usually
it’s from steam, not fire.
Our PPE (personal protective equipment) is designed very well. There are situations where it’s
not foolproof; there are risks involved. Our equipment is designed to keep us very protected. It’s
not fireproof, but it can withstand significant temperatures.
You would think that fire and heat were the leading hazards, but the biggest problem is the smoke in an
environment. It can be fatal.
What is the most common and effective fire extinguisher for most homes?
The most common is an ABC extinguisher. It’s the most common and general.
A - For lightweight combustible materials, like wood, paper, cloth.
B - For flammable liquids, petroleum and greases.
C- For fires involving electrical equipment.
What’s the No. 1 cause of fire danger in homes in your community?
In my broad experience, the leading cause of residential fires in general is kitchen/cooking fires.
I’d also argue that people should be cognizant and pay attention to their homes, in general. If
you have a breaker that keeps tripping or lights flickering or an outlet with a flash, that could be a
big hazard for an electrical fire. Electrical fires can be hidden for some time, if the short happens
inside the wall.
Another big concern: lithium ion batteries (in computers, ebikes, laptops, vape pens). Pay attention to
devices that have these batteries. Don’t leave them on the charger all the time. If they are
damaged, they could self ignite. And when they catch fire, they can get pretty violent. Store them
outside in the garage. It’s an efficient technology with a lot of battery life and storage, but
we’re finding there’s much more of a fire potential and hazard than with the alkaline
batteries that we grew up with.
Kris Graves
Engine Captain, Lodi Fire Department
Captain Kris Graves has been in fire service 20 years, 17 of which he has served with the Lodi Fire
Department. He is part of a crew of three.
How do you manage the stress and emotional toll of your job?
I don’t react the same way to stress as most people. We are trained to see and mitigate certain
things. I also feel fortunate to have a wife that is very understanding. In our home, I have a room for
napping. In other words, there are times that I do try to get away because things can get so frenetic
and you need to recharge. I also have dogs at home that love me to death.
Is being a firefighter like what we see on television?
It looks very real, but it is made for TV. To a degree, yes, firefighters do stop what they’re
doing when the siren rings. And, yes, there’s the camaraderie. That’s absolutely real, but a
lot of the other stuff is played up a little bit.
What motivates you most to do the work that you do?
It was hard to get a job with a fire department when I was looking. It took me three years of actively
testing (in Santa Rosa, Long Beach, Sacramento), which is not uncommon. So, why do I want to do this
job? I want to help people. You get to see people at their absolutely worst day and then try to make it
better. It’s a needed service, and they want us to be there. I want to make a difference. I want
to be that safe space, help and breath that they need.
What are the three most important traits needed to be a firefighter?
We need honesty, integrity and need to be able to trust each other. My guys need to know I have their
best interest at heart. Firefighters must also be hardworking and have a willingness to work. Some of
the things that we have to see and mitigate most humans don’t have to, but you still need to get
the job done.
How can the public help firefighters in their communities?
The big difference about living in California than in any other part of the country is that we deal
with wild fires every year. Just this past year, in the Palisades, there were millions in property
loss.
If we are sending blanket statements, saying leave your home and evacuate - GO. We need you to listen
to the orders as they’re given. Educate yourself about what fire service is about.
Don’t just walk by a fire house. Go in and have a conversation. Talk with someone and then go
from there.
When you realize what fire service is, it makes everyone’s job easier.
Lasting thought:
We’re here for you. We do this job for you. I do what I do for this community. It’s a crazy
thing.