We are #742Proud of Brian LaBuda, head engineer at Discovery Community School and Waite Park assistant chief firefighter.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis recently honored LaBuda as a first responder among other firefighters and police officers.
“In 2016,” Kleis remarked at the awards ceremony, “clearly the first responders are the heroes of the year.”
LaBuda has been with the Waite Park Fire Department for 19 years and loved every minute of it.
“I’ve always wanted to become a firefighter and help others,” says LaBuda.
And, it’s not an easy feat to become a firefighter and keep up with the time commitment. Schooling to become a firefighter is a three-month process in addition to training as a first responder. Just like many other professions, there is also continuing education and training that is required every year.
“Once a month I train to stay up on the changes,” explains LaBuda. “In the first responder world, everything changes so much. You have to stay on top of it.”
Last year the Waite Park Fire Department responded to 175 calls, not including all medical calls. With an average of nearly 15 calls a month, LaBuda stays busy.
And staying busy is just one reason why he loves his job at Discovery. Another is the variety.
“Not one day is ever the same,” says LaBuda, who has been with the District for 20 years.
“I do everything from snow removal to lawn care to fixing things and cleaning up messes,” laughs LaBuda. “It’s a unique challenge and a great experience . . . You never know what situation you’re going into.”
When LaBuda does have spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors.
Whether he is tying shoes for elementary students at school or carrying a child out of the smoke of a burning building, LaBuda says, “We just do what we’ve got to do.”
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