Crime & Safety
The Hero Next Door: Daniel Cortright
Meet Daniel Cortright, a lieutenant with Hecktown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 and this week's 'Hero Next Door.'
Daniel Cortright, 29, is a volunteer firefighter and lieutenant with . He has been with the company for seven years.
Cortright, an Eagle Scout, grew up in . Now a resident of , he works for UGI Utilities as a crew foreman for construction and maintenance.
Cortright and his wife, Danielle, have a 15-month-old daughter, Piper.
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What is it like being a firefighter?
“I never gave it any thought before. I had been in Boy Scouts… I always liked helping people.”
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What is your favorite thing about being a firefighter?
“It's exhilarating and you have fun doing it, but the point is to help people.”
What made you decide to become a firefighter?
“My friend from high school lived right down the street. He said to come down one night, that it would be fun. I went down… and I've been here ever since.”
How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life on the line?
“My wife, her whole family has been in the [Emergency Medical Services] field. It was nothing new to her… I get all the support in the world from her. [My parents] are thankful and proud I’m helping out.”
What kind of training have you had so far?
“I had to take five months of weekend fire school… There are always classes we're doing. We probably have six or seven weekends a year of classes.”
What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the department?
“You never know until you try it. It’s not for everyone but definitely something I enjoy … You have to put in a lot of hard work. Even though it’s volunteering, we’re doing a professional job.”
