Tom May East Lake: Fireman of the Year

Aug. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- “I’ve got two left boots! Who's got a right boot? I need a smaller helmet! Anyone over there have a smaller helmet?” Just another wild ride on the fire truck as the East Lake volunteer fireman actually got into their gear en route to the fire. Tom May was one of those volunteers.
   He has wanted to be a firefighter for as long as he can remember. As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, fire played a big part in May’s life. First, he watched as firefighters vigilantly try to say his friends burning house. And later he watched his elementary school burn. Still, fire fighting fascinated him. He dreamed of writing on a real fire truck someday.
   Soon after his family moved to the East Lake area in 1972, the Volunteer Fire Department was formed. Though he was only sixteen, Tom May was one of the first to volunteer. He was a firefighter at last - even though he wasn't allowed to drive the truck. Even after joining the Navy, he continued to volunteer while all on leave. In 1981, he was hired by the East Lake Fire District. Somewhere along the way, he was promoted to captain. He is now District Chief May - which means that he is responsible for all emergencies that occur in the East Lake Fire District while he is on duty. He is also the Training Officer.
   District Chief May has a rich history with the East Lake Fire District. He is a member of the safety committee which oversees workers compensation claims. He is also chairman of the wellness program. This position ensures that the staff is physically able to perform their duties. The YMCA fitness program is a direct result of District Chief May’s involvement in both these areas. It was discovered 75% of the workers comp claims for you to inadequate fitness measures. The fitness program is a mandatory, structure program. But because of the lack of space and equipment, the staff was unable to work out properly. Since the firefighters have been working out of the heat was instrumental in actually finding a suitable truck YMCA that number has been reduced to 25%. Another of his accomplishments was his participation on the Antique Truck Committee. He was instrumental in actually finding a suitable truck and donated many hours towards the renovation. And more recently, District Chief May was responsible for locating what is called a Flashover Trailer - the first of its kind in Florida. Flashover is similar to backdraft, and the trailer helps the firefighters trained combat this most dangerous phenomenon in fire fighting.
   Education is a lifelong endeavor for everyone, but especially for firemen. District Chief May is currently participating in the Executive Fire Officer Program at National Fire Academy - a four-year program. He informed me that Chief Taylor is very pro-education which is lucky for us because that means that East Lake Fire District staff is trained well above the national average.
   Besides being passionate about being a firefighter, Tom May is active in our community activities as well. He has been a member of the fire SAC (School Advisory Council) for Cypress Woods Elementary. He has been involved with East Lake Little League for the past nine years as coach, manager, and most recently he served on the board as Vice President of baseball.
   When I asked May about how he felt about being a firefighter, he never hesitated in his answer. “Firefighting is not a job - it's a career,” he said. “We do to help people even off-duty fireman will stop to help in an emergency. In a fireman is always ready to help a brother fireman- as evidenced by the fires on the Florida coast. Plus, the people at the station are like a second family. You spend a third of your life here.” Of course, when it is also done, District Chief Tom May still remembers the little boy in Brooklyn as he added, “and I still get paid to ride on fire trucks.”