STAYING PUT:
VOLUNTEER DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY
By Sinead O'Brien
Staff Writer
Wasting time is not Tom Falcone's business. Unlike most 19-year-olds, his
time is not spent hanging out and goofing off. Actually, apart from his
job, every spare moment is dedicated to protecting his community.
For four years, Falcone has actively been involved in the Hyattsville Volunteer
Fire Department and Rescue Squad. In that time he has accomplished more
than many firefighters do in a lifetime. From winning awards to fulfilling
responsibilities to coordinating events, Falcone is an asset to the entire
station.
As the Engineer Coordinator in charge of apparatus, building and equipment
maintenance, Falcone is an essential part of the fire station's functioning.
He makes sure all the engines' equipment is in place, working, clean and
ready for the next run - a responsibility nearly as large as the engines
themselves.
He is the youngest member on the HVFD Board of Directors, which makes all
financial and long-term decisions for the organization.
At this February's banquet, Falcone was honored with the title Firefighter
of the Year.
But his commitment does not end with the hands-on work. Falcone's formal
training comes from consistently taking certification classes. He is a student
at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland,
where he is working towards getting national certification as a fire officer.
Because he is a rescue technician and specialist, Falcone goes on emergency
calls with the ambulances and the fire engines. He said while he is at the
station, he responds to every emergency the department dispatches; a practice
that won him the second-place award for most runs last year.
Falcone is not the first in his family to be involved in the field. His
brother once was involved, but an injury forced him out. Falcone, the youngest
of 10 children, was not scared off because of his brother's incident.
"If I'm gonna do something, I'm going to do it," he said. "Nothing
really sets me back."
At 16, he started taking classes that would eventually lead to firefighter
certification. It was at that time he began riding along on fire calls and
became a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Falcone is not sure now if he wants to make fire fighting a career, but
that does not stop him from being entirely dedicated.
"I've always wanted to be a firefighter," he said.
Because it is a volunteer fire department, raising money is a priority.
HVFD hosts a Charity Casino every week, which Falcone oversees and attends
as a representative of the department.
But his most impressive fund-raising activity was for a little girl in need
of a liver. In addition to a $25,000 donation from the department, Falcone
organized a "boot drive." For this, firefighters stood at an intersection
with their boots asking for money. This endeavor raised $5,000.
For Falcone, the hardest calls to go on are those that involve people he
knows.
"It's a lot harder than the rest of calls," he said. "You
almost take it on a personal level."
He has performed CPR more than 100 times. That doesn't mean it gets any
easier, but, "you pretty much get it down pat after 100 times,"
he said.
In addition to these commitments, which consume nearly 60 hours a week,
Falcone works for a general contracting company, spending about 50 hours
there.
"I like to be consistently busy," he said.
His devotion to the HVFD prompted Falcone to spread the word. He got some
friends involved as volunteers in the department as well, and he said they
like it as much as he does.
In between saving lives, putting out fires, working as a full-time carpenter
for Preferred Properties of Landover and raising money, Falcone somehow
finds time to go out with his friends.
Not surprisingly, they are firefighter friends.
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Updated 5/4/96