Senior Chris Evans: Volunteer Firefighter

By Karen Vanegas

D.C Public School students have long had a bad reputation of low-test scores, violence and disruptive behavior. What many fail to see is that there are students who excel and defy the bad reputation. Christopher Evans, 12th grader is one of them.

Evans manages to volunteer, work, and balance his studies. He volunteers at the fire department in Hyattsville, Maryland. He would have volunteered for the D.C fire department, but they do not accept volunteers under eighteen years of age. Evans is seventeen and is the youngest volunteer.

"At the Hyattsville fire department, I've made many great friends whom I have come to see as my brothers," he said. "I know the risks of volunteering as a firefighter Emergency Medical Technician, but helping others is something I enjoy."

At a young age his parents would take him to see fire trucks at the fire station. Ever since, he has always wanted to be a firefighter.

Evans has already seen some real life action. "On my first month as a volunteer, I experienced a situation where a man was stabbed. When he breathed, blood would pump out of his chest. It was a gruesome sight."

Evans has witnessed fires where families have lost their homes and all their possessions. "Even when I've experienced serious situations like these, I'm still as sure as when my parents first took me to the fire station that I want to be a firefighter."

Evans hopes to be able to become a D.C firefighter in the future. After High School, he plans to study fire science and criminal justice.

By Anna Kinsman |  February 15, 2008; 9:40 AM ET News
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