Shawn Ellinghouse - Captain 704

Shawn Ellinghouse has been a volunteer firefighter for 16 years, all with the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department (SLRFD).

During the summer of 2000, Ellinghouse said the SLRFD was really shorthanded. The chief at the time, Joe Ellinghouse, told him that he needed help. With no prior experience in fire, Ellinghouse signed up.

During the summer of 2002, Ellinghouse spent 28 days on a fire in Oregon on the Biscuit Fire.

"That changed my whole attitude towards fire," said Ellinghouse. "I used to be afraid of fire. But when I got to see running crown fire down hill, got to do backburns with hot shots. I learned how to respect it, how to read it, how to understand it and I learned it all from Joe."

Ellinghouse is qualified as a structure and wildland firefighter. He earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification in 2006.

"I felt inept on a call when I was the first person to arrive on scene," said Ellinghouse. "I decided if I was going to do this for the good of the people, I at least needed to know how to put a band aid on legally."

Ellinghouse took his first officer position as lieutenant with the SLRFD in 2004 when past chief Frank Maradeo appointed him. In 2009, Ellinghouse was promoted to captain on the SLRFD.

"I look at a lieutenant and being a captain as being a regular old firefighter," said Ellinghouse. "I will not ask people to do something that I will not do."

As Captain, Ellinghouse helps maintain the command structure during an incident He serves as a leader below the chief supervising other firefighters. He is also second in command and provides the leadership for an incident in the chief's absence.

As an officer, Ellinghouse enjoys the challenge of gaining people's trust and keeping it. He also likes having the opportunity of working with new recruits and training them.

"It's my job to train my replacement," said Ellinghouse. "And when they do that, I hope that I have taught them something they feel comfortable with.

Ellinghouse said the biggest challenges for the SLRFD is recruitment and finding the time to train and do the job.

"Some how you always find the time for it," said Ellinghouse.