Who Protects You?

Continuing in a series where I’d like you to get to know the volunteers and career personnel who protect Jasper County, next up is Carlos Rhodes.

Carlos is a man of many hats. When he is not working full-time for Newton County EMS, he is here in Jasper either working as a part-time Firefighter/EMT or volunteering his time when off-duty.

Carlos is a native Georgian growing up in Newborn near the Jasper County line. At the tender age of 10 he began spending time around the fire station wanting to be a part of anything the crews would let him.

As soon as he turned 14 he started in Newton County’s Fire Explorer program which introduces teenagers to the fire service allowing them to participate in all trainings and calls up to entering a burning structure. It was here at the fresh age of 14 that he ran his first cardiac arrest call and knew what he was called to do. While he has previously served for several years with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department as a sergeant, he has always stayed with Fire/Rescue.

In 1999 he joined Jasper County Fire Rescue as a volunteer firefighter responding with Station 7 on Hwy 142. After obtaining his EMT certification he increased his service here to also include responding on the ambulance. He has since moved near Jackson Lake and serves as a Captain with Station 1.

In addition to his full-time, part-time, volunteer, and family responsibilities he also sees the value to serving as a Lead Advisor with our local Explorer Post. He takes pride in sharing the traditions of the fire service with youth who have a hunger for it and takes an annual trip with our Explorers to Gatlinburg, TN for WinterFest to compete in Public Safety competitions with kids from across the nation.

The reason he does it all? Carlos takes pride in the sense of ownership and playing a role in his community! Being in a rural environment presents responsibilities not normally needed in an urban environment. He’s very thankful that his family has always been supportive of his public safety career; there have definitely been missed holidays and family dinners but knowing that he has made a difference helps.

When asked what he sees going forward, “Over the last year and a half the fire department has obtained new equipment, better trained personnel, and increased community support. The fire department is strengthening. That’s encouraging. I would like to see though more of the community to be involved; even for support roles.”

Did you know that when you volunteer to serve your community with Fire/Rescue it doesn’t have to be fighting fire? There are so many support roles within the fire service that are important. Would you consider serving? Would you consider being an integral part of your community and answering the call when your neighbor needs you?