Natalie Grove
James Seward is a reluctant celebrity.
The Firefighter of the Year for 2014 wasn’t even present at the awards banquet on Feb. 22, though he appreciates the honor.
“It’s overwhelming to be chosen for an award in such a team-oriented place – everything is done as a team,” said Seward, 35. “Having your partners in crime to vote for you, knowing you were given that respect, it’s humbling to be singled out in that way.”
Fire Chief Mike Beaver said of Seward, “He is an excellent volunteer, he’s a tireless worker. I’d compare him to a thoroughbred racehorse – you have to rein him in sometimes because he wants to charge in headlong.”
Seward is one of some 30 volunteer firefighters in the district.
“Three-fourths of the engine is crewed by volunteers,” he said. “It’s more of a family down there than a job. (…) It’s a hoot to be down there.”
A Sweet Home High School graduate, Seward moved here in 1979 and has volunteered for the Sweet Home district for the last nine years.
Firefighting is both a service and a source of excitement for him.
“When that alarm goes off and you hop on the engine, it’s exciting. It’s a rush. You never know what you’ll find.”
For Seward, the road to the fire department ran through a softball field.
“I wanted to be part of this softball team, but it was a volunteer-only team. So I filled out a volunteer application.”
While playing softball has passed by the wayside, fighting fires has stayed a part of his life.
“It’s a great group of guys down there,” Seward said. “It’s infectious, you don’t want to leave. It’s exciting.”
Seward also was named Rescue Tech of the Year at the awards banquet.
“About a year ago he (Seward) was considering quitting,” Beaver said. “But we talked and he recommitted – and he’s been even more involved ever since, especially with getting into water rescue too. He’s a good guy, everyone likes him. He’s a huge asset.”
Being a firefighter requires dedication as it isn’t always exciting.
“Half the time it’s nothing, or already out when we get there.” Seward said. “But it’s great to be a part of saving people’s things, people’s lives.”
Local residents may not realize that the majority of Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District are volunteers. Because the department is volunteer-based, it takes some time to get to a call. Volunteers are notified by pager, drive personal vehicles to the station, and take an engine to a call.
“We do our best,” Seward said.
“We’re not just sitting on the engine – it takes time to get down there. Our times are actually really fast for a volunteer station, especially covering as large an area as we do. We couldn’t get there any faster.”
He said firefighters enjoy a lot of appreciation from community residents. The station receives cards and gifts of food they all enjoy.
“Nine times out of 10, people are very appreciative,” he said.
“One lady was serving us water and cookies while her house was still burning – it was almost too nice.”
When he isn’t serving at the fire station, Seward works for Columbia River Log Scaling as a third-party log scaler working between loggers and mills. But he is ready to leave for a fire call at a moment’s notice, which his job allows.
“They’ve been really good about letting me go. They really respect my going – they haven’t complained yet.”
Seward says he sees the community giving a huge amount of respect and appreciation to the fire service.
Though not wanting to give a specific example because there are so many, Seward said the level of support is similar to what he sees people give the military.
“Going down the street you get people thanking you and waving. People are always thanking you. It’s a proud spot, to sit in an engine.”