Meet First Responder Jesse Cavasos

As a firefighter, Jesse Cavasos is always on call.

Cavasos works Monday through Friday at USD 214, but he carries a radio so he can respond to emergencies whenever he is available. Calls can come at any hour, including late nights, holidays, and weekends.

When a call comes in, Cavasos may drive to a fire, fight the flames, direct traffic, or help clean up afterward.

“Each call is different,” Cavasos said. “You never know what it will be until you get there.”

Between calls, Cavasos prepares trucks for the next emergency and participates in training twice a month.

One of the most difficult parts of firefighting is responding to human tragedy, particularly wrecks. Firefighters may have to cut doors off vehicles to get people out, and some calls involve loss of life.

Another challenging type of call is a grass fire, particularly because of the amount of water required. During an active fire, firefighters may need to continuously refill their trucks. A fire truck is also extremely heavy when carrying a full load of water, making it difficult to stop quickly.

For Cavasos, preparation, training, and common sense are essential parts of the job. He also encourages residents calling 911 to provide as much information as possible so firefighters know what they may encounter before arriving.

“Teamwork is most important,” Cavasos said.

Firefighters practice different styles and techniques during training, and Cavasos credits the fire chief with preparing the department with a wide range of skills.

Cavasos’s decision to become a firefighter was rooted in a desire to give back to the community. His father was a firefighter, as was a neighbor, which inspired him to submit an application.

While fires can be interesting to watch, Cavasos cautions residents against coming to emergency scenes as spectators. Bystanders can get in the way of firefighters and put themselves in danger.

Outside of firefighting, Cavasos participates in a bowling league, attends New Beginnings Church, helps with Scouts and serves on the chain crew at Ulysses High School football games. He is also a fan of Survivor.