There’s a lot that can be said of anyone willing to run toward a burning building while everyone else is running away. As much can be said of someone who will drive and ambulance through busy intersections of a main street when you need help the most. Truth be told, I have always had nothing but admiration for local firefighters and EMTs, so a tag-along with the crew at the Norwich Fire Department for this week’s Punching the Clock was nothing short of an honor for me.

“A lot of people dont’ really realize just how much we do here. You never know when a call is going to come in or what it’s going to be,” explained NFD Chief Tracy Chawgo, referring to the department’s two-fold operation of fire and EMS responsibilities. The department currently staffs 15 full-time employees and four part-time, with additional help from countless volunteers. “We’re too busy to be all volunteer, but too small to be all paid. We couldn’t do what we do without those volunteers,” he said.