Aces of Trades: City fire captain Slade Schultz carries on family firefighting tradition

LANCASTER — Firefighting is a family affair for Lancaster Fire Department Capt. Slade Schultz.

He is a third-generation firefighter, as his father and grandfather were were firefighters. Additionally, Schultz's daughter, Leah, is carrying the tradition along as she recently graduated from the fire academy.

"I love the challenge and the pace of the job," Schultz said of firefighting. "It forces you to be proficient. You have to be knowledgeable in so many different areas – rescue, EMS (emergency medical service), construction, people skills, electrical. It involves so many different facets."

Schultz has been a captain for about two years and has worked for the city for almost 20 years. Due to upcoming retirements in the department, he expects to become assistant chief in June.

"I'm looking forward to whatever new roles or responsibilities that fire administration and city administration put on me," Schultz said. "I'm looking forward to being a part of the department in that capacity."

He was on a medic crew for 10 years before being promoted to a lieutenant and then was part of a fire engine crew.

"I spent a lot of my time on the west side fighting fires and working with the same group of guys every third day," Schultz said. "I really enjoyed that. I really enjoyed working with people and working with my crews. Then February of 2019 I was promoted to captain."

He now serves at the captain of the fire prevention bureau. That bureau oversees the city's fire code enforcement actions. Schultz works with a variety of people, including business owners, contractors and builders, among others. The fire prevention bureau is also in charge of all the city's fire investigations.

"It really has been a great opportunity to see how the different parts of the city work to resolve problems, whether it's the public sector or the private sector," he said.

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Schultz's new position is more of a daily office job, so he doesn't go on fire runs anymore.

"It took me a while to adjust," he said. "I'm used to working every third day for so many years. It was an adjustment, but a welcome one. I miss taking runs, I miss that part of it. But I also enjoy and I'm satisfied with what I get to do now."

Schultz also handles the media relations for the department.

Schultz said he enjoys all the different aspects and challenges firefighting presents.

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"No two days are the same," he said. "When I showed up for a shift I didn't what I'd be doing in the next five minutes, five hours or five days. That's exciting. Firefighters in general, including myself, love the adrenaline rush and loved being faced with a problem and coming up with a solution and apply the solution as quickly as possible to resolve the situation. That's kind of our personality."

Schultz said firefighting is a rewarding career that's changed who he is.

Away from work, Schultz said he is "pretty boring."

"I work hard and then when I'm home I like to spend time around the house," he said. "I like to go out and run the bike path. I spend a lot of time there and spend time in the gym. And the kids and sports. That is my hobby, going to basketball games and volleyball games. As many of those as I can get to."

jbarron@gannett.com

740-304-9296

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Slade Schultz carries on the family firefighting tradition