Romick joins Norwalk fire ranks

NORWALK — A new firefighter has joined the Norwalk Fire Department, bringing what fire Chief Dan Strayer described as a clear sense of purpose shaped by personal experience and self-driven training. Alec Romick, a Huron resident who recently transitioned from a Huron city zoning role into the fire department, said the decision to pursue firefighting followed a moment that shifted his perspective on helping others. "I realized that helping people is something I've always been good at," Romick said. "About four years ago, I had a first-hand experience with my mom being sick and just seeing some guys that I knew growing up from the Huron Fire Department showing up and helping. I was so grateful for those guys to be there, and I thought, I want people to feel like that when they see me." At the time, Romick was working as a zoning inspector for the city of Huron after roughly two decades with Barnes Nurseries. Conversations with firefighters in the same municipal building led him to consider a career change. "I started talking to them and I realized maybe this is something I could do," he said. "So I started the process of getting into EMT school and then eventually going down the path to fire school, then I started applying to everywhere that opened." Strayer said that kind of initiative stood out during the hiring process. "It's impressive what he's done to prepare himself for this," Strayer said. "He put himself through school, paid for his own training. He just really wants to give back. And that's what this guy does." Strayer, who has more than 30 years of experience in the fire service, said candidates motivated by long-term commitment rather than short-term employment are easy to identify. "You just know who's looking for a job versus somebody that wants a career, that's gone out and proven themselves by getting the training on their own," he said. "I know he wants to do this and make a career." Romick will spend the next 18 months in a structured probationary and evaluation period, rotating through shifts and completing a series of written tests covering equipment, procedures and department policies. "He'll work with all three shifts, and every six months he'll be tested," Strayer said. "If he passes, he moves up through the class system with increases in pay, ultimately reaching Class A after 18 months." Romick said his early impressions of the department have been positive, even as expectations are made clear. "I came in nervous, not knowing what to expect," he said. "It's been kind of open arms. Everyone seems down-to-earth here, real helpful, but not without letting me know what they expect from me." He said he hopes to build a long-term career in Norwalk. "I'm excited to be here and start this journey," he said. "Hopefully, I start and end my career here. That's what I plan on doing."