Following in fathers’ footsteps

By ELISE FRANCO

Firefighters keep it within the family

The sons discuss how their dads made an impact on their lives.

YOUNGSTOWN — For three men, the decision to follow in their fathers’ footsteps and become firefighters for the Youngstown Fire Department came at a young age.

Nick Hellman, George Zordich Jr. and John Carbon Jr. all said they basically grew up inside the firehouse.

“My brother and sister and I always went down to the station with my dad,” said Carbon Jr., 22, of Youngstown. “We would climb all over trucks and slide down poles. It’s not something every kid could experience.

“My dad was always doing something with us, putting us in trucks and driving us around the block.”

He said growing up, he looked up to his father, John Sr., and grandfather, who were both firefighters, because of what they did for a living, and it didn’t take long to form relationships with the men his father worked with.

“I developed a relationship with his crew members who I now work with,” Carbon Jr. said. “When I first started [working here] I had a hard time calling them by their first names because I was so used to saying, ‘Mr.’”

Zordich Jr., 27, of Youngstown, said his dad, George Sr., 58, of Canfield, used to take the family to fire department picnics every summer.

“Wanting to be a firefighter was from always being around it as a young kid, seeing my dad, and visiting him at the station and being at functions,” he said.

Carbon Sr., 56, of Canfield, said he is happy his son chose this career path.

“I am proud of him. My father was [a firefighter] and I followed his footsteps,” he said. “My son always wanted to be one when he was younger ... so I support him.”

Carbon Sr., who has been with the fire department for almost 25 years, said he worries about his son while he’s on the job but trusts in his training and abilities as a firefighter.

“I worry about him because he’s new in the department, but I have to let him be his own man and do his job,” he said. “I know that he’s mature enough to handle himself now. I have confidence that he knows what to do, and he’s learning from the older fellows.”

James Hellman, 56, of Boardman, also worries about his son. “Of course I worry about him, but I have faith in his training,” he said. “There’s nothing you can really do to overcome it, because you’ll always worry a little bit.”

Nick Hellman, 29, of Youngstown, attributes his success in life directly to his father. “He’s instilled hard work and discipline in me, and he’s been very generous and caring throughout my life,” he said.

Nick, who has been with the fire department for almost four years, said that after serving in the Army he wanted to do something that would give him the same structure, and firefighting seemed like the natural choice.

“It’s something that interested me from the time I was a child, but it probably didn’t actually click until I got out of the Army,” he said.

Zordich Sr. said his son couldn’t have done anything to make him any prouder than he already is.

“It makes me proud that he would decide to do something like this,” he said. “It’s something I love to do ... serving the public and doing nice things for people. Hopefully, his son will follow in his footsteps the way he has followed in mine.”

Unlike the other two pairs, the Zordiches work directly with each other, so they are able to spend a lot of time together.

“Working with him is great,” Zordich Sr. said of his son. “There’s not a better feeling in the world.”

Zordich Jr. said he feels lucky to have the opportunity to spend his first years with the fire department alongside his dad.

“Working with my dad is a good time. It’s great to be there with him,” he said.

Carbon Sr. said the most important thing for his son to understand as a firefighter is that when he’s called to a scene it’s because someone needs his help and the help of the rest of the crew.

“I told him, ‘It’s your job to try and solve the problem. Listen to the older fighters. Watch and learn from them and you’ll be fine,’” he said.

All three sons said their fathers have left a lasting impression on them, and their fathers return the sentiment.

“I don’t see any greater gift in anyone’s life other than their children,” Carbon Sr. said of his son.

Today, on Father’s Day, all six men said they’ll be hanging up their gear, for a few hours at least, and spending the day with their families and with one another.

efranco@vindy.com