When The Smoke Clears
What happens to a firefighter after they've spent decades running into burning buildings and rescuing people from sickness, injury and death? When they walk away from the job, how have they changed? What lessons have they learned? What type of person have they become?
When The Smoke Clears
24 - Master Firefighter Walter Balma
When Walter Balma had his first encounter with the fire department, he knew immediately that he wanted to be a firefighter. Growing up in Prince George's County, MD, he wanted to be a PG firefighter, so he became a PG volunteer. However, when applying for full-time fire department jobs, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue hired him first. Walter enjoyed a 20+ year career in Montgomery County before eventually retiring and joining the Prince George's County Fire Department.
Walter shares about his time in both departments, as well as his time working in the fire code enforcement offices of Rockville City and Prince George's County.
Walter can be reached at Walter.Balma@gmail.com
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