Budweth brothers are King Fire’s dynamic duo

February 10, 2015 · 0 Comments

Dave and Alf Budweth are not only long-time residents and entrepreneurs, they are long-term volunteer firefighters.

By Mark Pavilons
Blood is thicker than water.
Just ask Dave and Alf Budweth, volunteer captains with King Fire and Emergency Services. The Budweths have been serving their close-knit community as local entrepreneurs and “community firemen” for decades.
They share a unique bond – within the walls of the venerable Nobleton Feed Mill, at family gatherings and when their pagers go off, night and day.
They’re part of a bigger family and they genuinely care about their firefighting brethren as well as their customers, friends and neighbours. One moment they’re loading farmers’ trucks with products and the next, they’re rushing off to a fire or accident call.
The life of a volunteer firefighter takes its toll and it’s definitely not for everyone. But Dave and Alf wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
They take their responsibilities very seriously. The brothers joined the local volunteer force more than 20 years ago and have grown immensely thanks to the experience gained on the front lines.
Dave recalls joining on a Tuesday and responding to a fire call on Wednesday, with very little training under his belt. In the early days, before the fire services were amalgamated, the Nobleton crews would get 70 to 80 calls a year. Today it’s upwards of 400.
The Budweths have had their fair share of good and bad days on the job. Dave said one of the best feelings is getting a heart-felt thank-you from residents they’ve helped. They tackle calls with training and efficiency, averting crises.
Alf stressed they see what people aren’t supposed to see – at fires and accident scenes. They have a special perspective that allows them to do their job and still be empathetic and respecting people’s privacy.
Since their family circle has grown substantially, they know that the next call could be to a friend’s home.
And being brothers at the same station can present its unique challenges.
Dave recalled that they were recently paired up when responding to a house fire and they opted to split up. It’s about family.
Dave said there’s really no such thing as a “routine call” and he’s been at grass and structure fires that turn suddenly, creating dangerous situations. One of the most memorable calls was a fire at a local golf club. When they arrived, black smoke was billowing out the front door and they couldn’t see a thing. They had to navigate by touch only. When they emerged, they discovered their helmets were melted by the heat.
Alf admitted there have been countless “upsetting calls.” Fortunately, King Fire has mechanisms in place that help their volunteers work through some of the trauma.
He said two fatal accidents will be forever embedded in his mind. At these scenes, grown men break down and cry. Heroes are human.
“It makes you appreciate everything you have,” Alf said.
As a parent, he attends medical calls for children with a “heightened sense of emergency.”
Calls to local schools become tense moments.
Dave noted that 99% of alarm calls tend to be false, but you always have to be prepared for that 1%.
He said he’s constantly asked two main questions – how do you it?, and you’re a volunteer?
People are often astonished that King’s men and women are volunteers. That’s a testament to their training, equipment and leadership. In fact, they stack up with the best of them, anywhere in the province.
Alf pointed out the only difference between King’s part-time volunteers and full-time firefighters is they aren’t at the station waiting for the pager to go off.
“We are the real deal,” he stressed.
Alf noted each firefighter attends two training sessions per month – 24 a year. That’s like contributing a month of time, just for training.
Dave is motivated by a selfless commitment to his fellow residents. “I’m trying to make a bad situation better.”
It’s this sense of helping that drives him. Believe it or not, he also likes the uncertainty of it all and the excitement that each new day brings.
There’s no such thing as routine. Car accidents can be suicides or even murders. “No two calls are alike,” Dave observed.
He said it does give you a different perspective on life and he often looks at life with “wide eyes.”
Alf noted while it comes down to helping others, they get a sense of accomplishment.
They both believe they’ve grown personally because of their firefighting careers.
“You’re never not a firefighter,” Alf mentioned, adding his neighbours at the rink or ball diamond get a sense of comfort knowing they’re around, and willing to jump into the fray at a moment’s notice.
The public’s expectations are high.
The goal of Fire Chief Jim Wall is “10 and 10” – getting 10 firefighters on scene within 10 minutes. That’s impressive for a rural municipality.
The Budweths consider firefighting a “fantastic career,” but admittedly, it’s not for everyone.
“It’s a lot more than riding around in a red fire truck,” Alf said. “It’s not like a TV or movie. There’s a lot more to it.”
The next time you’re sitting down to a family dinner, think about these men and women who serve. The next time you see a flashing green light, give way, and let these “community firefighters” do their job.
King Fire & Emergency Services will be hosting an open house and information session on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Nobleton station on King Road, starting at 10 a.m.
For more information, or to pick up an application, please contact James Arnold. Deputy Fire Chief, at 905-833-2800. Applications are available at the King City station, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applications will be accepted in person at Station 34 in King City until Friday, March 6 at 4:30 p.m.