Reserve firefighter who started in finance joined to help community
For Lance Macdonald, returning to his family’s roots by becoming a reserve firefighter with the Healdsburg Fire Department was something he wanted to do to help others.
Now that selflessness is being recognized as Macdonald was named volunteer firefighter of the year at an April 15 awards ceremony at city hall.
“I moved to Healdsburg 14 years ago and I thought I should do something, I wanted to give back and I wanted to volunteer. I had my twins and I thought, ‘I really want to do something that sets a good example for them,’ so that was my only plan: to come here and volunteer.”
Macdonald said he was surprised and humbled to have received the recognition.
“I wasn’t expecting that it would be me as one of the people to be honored,” he added.
Macdonald, who grew up in Comptche in Mendocino County, said while he started out in finance he had grown up watching his dad as a volunteer fire chief.
His mother was also a part of the auxiliary fire group, which focused on organizing activities that raised funds for their local fire department.
“It’s kind of always been a part of my family,” he said.
So in June 2016 he decided to join Healdsburg Fire Department.
According to Healdsburg Fire Chief Jason Boaz, in 2018 Macdonald put in 499 hours of work at the fire department and 194 hours of training, 56 hours of engine company training and 58 hours of computer-based training.
He also completed a state fire inspector training series all the while being president of the firefighter association, organizing events and working on Fitch Mountain doing fire fuel reduction work.
And while Macdonald said he never thought of how all consuming it would be — he said he went out on around 300 calls last year — his wife was his best supporter “times 1,000.”
So what are a reserve firefighter’s duties?
The only difference between a reserve firefighter and a staff firefighter is that a reserve firefighter is typically on a stipend for calls whereas a staff firefighter is on paid staff on shift.
Reserve firefighters usually respond to any second call in the district and any larger calls.
Macdonald has also been working on the fire prevention side helping with Fire Marshal Linda Collister in weed abatement and fire fuels reduction, which is a part-time paid position.
Overall, the most challenging aspect about the job is having to leave at the drop of a hat to go out on a call, however, he emphasized that being able to help people is the most rewarding aspect of it all.
“Helping people is the best feeling,” Macdonald said. “I don’t think I truly realized that until I had the opportunity to help somebody. When I was in the Tubbs Fire, I was on one of the first engines out, me and Ruben and John Sullivan, and because of the circumstances we were some of the first people on that fire as the fire was coming over the hill and because of amazing decisions that my captain made we were able to knock on doors and rescue a lot of people.”
Macdonald said while it was big event for that community, it also made a big impact on him.
“We definitely made a difference that night. Before we even fought one fire we were evacuating several people in this community. Once that was done, we went and fought fires for about 20 hours. As horrible as an event that was for many people it was rewarding in the sense that I think it was easier to be able to at least try and make a difference.”
“After that event, Lance was all in,” said Fire Marshal and Division Chief, Linda Collister. “Since that time, he responds when called but has become a certified Fire Inspector. As a reserve firefighter, he works closely with the Fire Marshal/Division Chief.”
At the April 15 ceremony, Boaz said of Macdonald’s work ethic, “What I appreciate the most about Lance is his positive attitude, always, his sense of humor, his professionalism and the fact that every single thing he does, he does 100% and he always produces an outstanding work product.”
Collister echoed Boaz’s thoughts and said there are so many good things to say about Lance.
“He is committed to the community which he lives, and where is children go to school. Of course we have to thank his wife Emily for allowing Lance to be such a big part in our Reserve Firefighter program,” Collister said.
Before making his way to Healdsburg, Macdonald lived in the East Bay and worked in finance with the same company in Oakland for 10 years. Once Macdonald moved to Healdsburg in 2005, he jumped into the wine industry, where he managed several wineries — his favorite varietals being Grenache and rose.
When he’s not working he enjoys spending time with his family.
