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MILFORD — Milford firefighter Christopher Kowal has always had a soft spot for teaching, and in his role as the department's S.A.F.E. coordinator, he gets to work with children in that role.
"My mom was a teacher for 36 years," he said. "I always saw her teaching kids. I never wanted to be a teacher full time, but I always enjoyed teaching kids and being involved in the community.
"Working with kids is one of the most important things we can do. They get to know us and when they see us at other times they're not scared of us and not afraid to come to us for help."
S.A.F.E. stands for Student Awareness of Fire Education. Kowal, 36, a nine-year veteran of the Fire Department, started working with the S.A.F.E. Program five years ago and became the head three years ago, he said.
"Essentially, it's all about fire education," said Kowal, who lives in Milford. "We go into schools, mostly elementary schools, and educate them about fire safety and safety overall — things like using helmets while riding bikes, sports safety and things like that. We teach them all about day-to-day safety."
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For his work, Kowal was recently nominated as the state's Fire & Life Safety Educator of the Year. Although he didn't win, he said it was an honor to be nominated. He was also quick to credit all S.A.F.E. team members.
"I just run it and make sure everything is scheduled," Kowal said. "It's me and five or six other guys who do the program. We all go out and do the same thing. It's like a team effort, and without them all of the education would not be done."
Kowal originally planned to become a police officer. However, when he took the Civil Service exam, the Fire Department offered him a job, and he realized that firefighting could be a good career.
"I'm really glad I became a fireman, it fit my skill set more than a police officer and I get to do different things, like S.A.F.E.," said Kowal. "The job allows me to do a something different, it's not just being a fireman."
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Kowal, who went through the Milford school system, is glad his job allows him to teach newer generation of Milford children how to be safe.
"I'm very happy to be able to serve in the community I grew up in," said Kowal. "Not everyone gets to do that."
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.