Crime & Safety
The Hero Next Door: Joe Ianovale Jr.
Meet Joe Ianovale Jr., a lieutenant with Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1 and this week's "Hero Next Door."
Joe Ianovale Jr., 31, joined eight years ago when he moved to Nazareth from Philadelphia. He's a lieutenant with the company.
When Ianovale isn't tending to his volunteer duties or working -- he's a machinist by trade -- he enjoys four-wheeling or “pretty much anything outdoors.”
What is your favorite thing about being a firefighter?
Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Being able to do things for the community, and helping people.”
How did you get involved in the fire company?
Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Someone at my previous job told me that they were a volunteer firefighter, which was something I didn’t really know about, coming from Philadelphia… I wanted to learn about it, so I showed up. I think it’s a calling, either you love it or you hate it. I’ve loved it ever since I joined.”
What kind of training have you had so far?
“We all had different training. I’m a firefighter emergency medical technician, vehicle rescue technician… there’s so many things.”
How do your loved ones feel about you putting your life in danger?
“There’s a lot of worry... you leave in the middle of family functions, but they understand. It’s a part of me, and to an extent it’s a part of them.”
What would you tell people interested in joining Vigilance Hose?
“You don’t do it for the glory. You do it for yourself and for others. You rarely get a thanks but when you do, it makes your whole week -- your whole year.”