SHELBY — Collin McBride’s family has a long history of working in law enforcement.
His grandfather and father are retired sheriffs. His mother is a former Mansfield parking control officer. McBride’s future father-in-law is a retired United States marshal.
“I didn’t want to be a cop because I mostly grew up in that environment,” McBride said Thursday evening after swearing into the Shelby Fire Department.
He was joined by his grandparents and fiancée, Abigayle Wurtz.
The 28-year-old said he was denied from joining the military due to medical purposes, so he decided to begin a career as a firefighter.
McBride entered the fire service in 2015 and has worked for the Springfield Township Fire Department since 2016.
A fully trained firefighter and paramedic, he will be assigned to shift one under Captain Randy Washburn after completing three eight-hour shifts.
McBride brings veteran leadership, training skills
The uniqueness of each day as a firefighter is something McBride enjoys about his career.
“Excitement is definitely a big part of it,” he said. “I love the adrenaline.”
With nearly 10 years of service, McBride has developed leadership and training skills which he plans to continue within his new department.
“I found myself in a bunch of training positions (at Springfield Fire Dept.), training up our new guys and teaching them how to do it,” he said.
“Eventually, I’m sure it will kind of be the same thing here (Shelby) — share your knowledge with people and learn from people.”
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said it was a privilege to get to know McBride during his interview process.
“We are very privileged to have Mr. McBride joining our force,” he said. “I think this is going to be a good relationship for Shelby fire and for Collin McBride for many years to come.”
Department adds third ambulance to fleet
On Thursday, Shelby Fire Chief Mike Thompson said Oct. 13 marks two years since the city took over all emergency medical service transport.
The department also handles all emergency medical transport for Jackson and Sharon Townships, which contract out their emergency medical and fire services to the SFD.
“In that time, we’ve gone from 12 full-time firefighters up to 16 — so we’ve almost put on an entire shift,” he said.
“We continue to grow. It’s a sign of a healthy department and we hope you have a long and prosperous career,” Thompson said after McBride was sworn in.
Shelby recently purchased an ambulance from Madison Township.
Thompson said the unit will be the third in the department’s fleet and act as a back up to its primary squads.
“The old ambulance was a 2006 model and was a small basic life support unit, and will be sold at auction,” he said. “The newer squad is a 2016 model and is much larger. It will be stocked as an advanced life support ambulance.
“We wish to thank the Shelby Eagles Club for donating $21,000 to purchase a heart monitor for one of our ambulances. The Shelby Owl’s Club also made a donation of $1,000 for medical supplies,” Thompson said.
