University of Jamestown student becomes a firefighter
Oct. 5—JAMESTOWN — The newest member of the Jamestown Fire Department is also the first one to be a full-time student at the University of Jamestown.
Wyatt Reid, 20, is a junior communications major from Sidney, Montana. He was sworn in as a firefighter on Sept. 23 in Jamestown with his father, two brothers and grandmother in attendance.
Reid said he was proud and honored, noting it's work that not a lot of people want to do.
"It's awesome and I absolutely love it," Reid said of being a firefighter. "I am so happy that I did it and I definitely encourage more people to step out of their comfort zone and try something new."
Reid chose to attend the University of Jamestown after his sister, Brianna, graduated from UJ with a nursing degree in 2020. He said their grandfather attended Jamestown College.
Reid said a friend he met in Jamestown, Donovan Zuck, talked him into becoming a firefighter. Zuck asked him to apply during his freshman year, but Reid said he wanted to focus on school.
Zuck raised the idea again during Reid's sophomore year.
"And I thought to myself, 'You know, that wouldn't be a terrible idea,' and I said, 'I think I could do it,'" Reid said. "I said it would be a really good community service especially. UJ really preaches giving back to your community so that's another thing that made me think about it. But I think it's just a really good way to give back."
Reid said his father, Wayne, served in the U.S. Air Force, which also influenced his desire to help others.
Reid filled out the application for the JFD and began his six-month probationary period and training on Feb. 23.
"Initially I was a little uncertain, I didn't know what I was really signing up for," Reid said. "... I think it was more of just beginning nerves."
He said doing the work made him love it.
"I really do enjoy helping people and the adrenalin that comes with it," he said. "One of the best things you can do is help somebody in need ..."
Fire Chief Jim Reuther said Reid excelled in training.
"His work ethics are just amazing," he said. "He's trained very hard. He's made sure he had all his stuff done during his six months. ... He just stepped up. I think he'll be a darn good firefighter. He's got such a positive mind and he's fun to be around."
Reid says a challenge of the work is getting up in the middle of the night, whether it's for a 5-minute call or a "full-fledged" structure fire.
"One of the challenges is obviously some of the stuff you have to see and some of the people you get to talk to when they're not in the greatest state of mind when you're talking to them when something like that is happening," he said.
Reed will begin training for Firefighter 1 certification, which is required, Reuther said.
"I would hope to get it done in the next two years at least — ideally before I graduate college," Reid said. "Once you get your Firefighter 1, it's good for anywhere in the U.S."
In addition to his studies and work for JFD, Reid also works part time for the city of Jamestown Water Department. He said he reads water meters, flushes hydrants, cleans pump houses and does other tasks.
Regardless of whether his news anchor career works out, Reid says he sees firefighter work in his future.
"I do want to stick with it," he said. "I think I'll try and stick with it for the rest of my life. I am absolutely in love with it. I never thought I would like doing it this much. You create a brotherhood with all those guys too and that's fun and the people I've ... gotten to meet and just integrate myself into the Jamestown community rather than just UJ."
If his news anchor career goal doesn't happen, he said he would consider becoming a full-time firefighter, preferably in Montana, his home state.
Reid would advise people who are interested in firefighting to be outgoing, driven and have a bit of discipline and a sense of humor.
"You definitely got to want to do it," he said. "... And stay on top of the training for sure with Sheldon Mohr, the training officer. He makes it super easy and if you stay on top of it, it's pretty easy to do. I mean, I'm a full-time college student and I did it while in college."
Reuther said he hopes Reid's decision to become a firefighter while being a student at UJ sparks interest in firefighting for other students.
"I think this is pretty unique," he said.
