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Lieutenant David Wagoner has been fighting fires in the Elkin area for 26 years.

The 54-year-old Elkin native began his firefighting career as a volunteer. It wasn’t until 1992 that he was hired full-time at Elkin Fire Department as a firefighter and engineer.

Unlike the average job, being a full-time firefighter means there are days that Wagoner is on call 24 hours.

“I work a 24-hour shift and then I’m off for two days,” Wagoner said. “That’s my schedule, 24-48,”

A typical work day for Wagoner includes responding to both medical and fire emergency calls.

“We got to all 10-50 PI calls (vehicle accidents with personal injuries) and all cardiac calls, Wagoner said. “The county dispatches us out on all the medical calls and the town dispatches us out on all fire calls.”

In addition to being trained Elkin Fire Department and Surry Community College to respond to fires through, Wagoner is also a medical responder trough Surry County EMS.

“He’s just very confident in everything he does. He’s great with what has to be done here, but if we have a medical call, he’s also really great with taking care of patients,” said Peegie Wagoner, fellow full-time Elkin Fire Department firefighter.

And that’s exactly what Wagoner said his favorite part of the job is: taking care of people.

“I’ve never had to pull any body out of a fire, in this small town it doesn’t happen that often, but giving solace to a family and letting them know everything will be okay, that’s the best part.” Wagoner said. “My favorite part of the job is helping people. It doesn’t matter who, or what, if someone needs help, I’m there to help them.”

When Wagoner is not working at the fire department he’s volunteering with Elkin High School’s football team.

“I volunteer with the Elkin football program with the medical staff,” he said. “I really enjoy that, it’s just a lot of fun, it’s good camaraderie and I have a good time watching the guys grow up.”

He has had the opportunity to watch his son, Jimmy Wagoner, grow up playing football and now following in his father’s footsteps as a volunteer at Elkin Fire Department.

“My son is a firefighter now too, and that’s something I’m real proud of,” he said.

Name: David Wagoner

Employer: Elkin Fire Department

How long worked: 20 years with Elkin Fire Department, 26 years total.

Favorite pastimes: Exercising, hiking, and trying to play the banjo.

Family: Son, Jimmy Wagoner, daughter, Rachel Hinson, son-in-law, Brent Hinson, and two grandchildren, Amy and Henry Hinson.

Born: Elkin

Lives: Pleasant Hill