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Crime & Safety

The Hero Next Door: Donald Houser

Meet Donald Houser, the fire police captain for Upper Nazareth Fire Department and this week's 'Hero Next Door' on Nazareth Patch.

Donald Houser, 37, is the fire police captain for . He is fairly new to Upper Nazareth, having joined the department in March 2010, but has been a firefighter since 2001.

Houser previously volunteered with Stockertown (when the borough had a fire department) and .

Houser, who lives in Nazareth, is a machine operator by trade. He has four children.

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What is the difference between fire police and firefighters?

“Fire police set up the barricades, we redirect traffic… we basically get things done so that [the firefighters] can do their job. We’re the first guys there and the last guys off the scene.”

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What are your motivations for being a firefighter?

“Protecting the community and doing the duties that I have to do.”

What made you decide to become a firefighter?

“It was because I lost a cousin in 1995 in a house fire. I wanted to protect other people from it happening to them.”

What do your loved ones say about you putting your life at risk?

“They love it. My kids love what I do. Whenever they see the trucks go by, they say, ‘Daddy, there you go!’”

What would you tell someone who is interested in joining the department?

“It’s a good organization. We’re in the process of upgrading, and we’re staying on top of everything we have to stay on top of.”

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