Chief Ryan Henry 

Choosing the career: I was at UCF in a computer science program and after year three I knew I did not want to do that. A couple of my friends talked me into going to EMT school. Then I met some firefighters on a call and I decided it looked cool. 

Staying motivated: Honestly, it’s just fun. Every day you don’t feel like you’re going to work. You’re just hanging out with your buddies.

What people don’t know: People don’t realize we had four shootings just on our shift in three weeks. We don’t get breaks. We come back and then go right back out. 

A moment that stuck with me:  The one that sticks out in my head is not a good one. It was my first pediatric code by myself. That was a rough one.

Go-to meal: It seems like we are always ordering a variety of wings from Cousin Vinnie’s for the station. We try to mix it up with Oakwood or from somewhere downtown.

Fun Fact: I also became a registered nurse at the end of 2019 and worked in the cath lab. 

Outside of work: My wife and I like to travel. We’re foodies. We just got back from Scotland and we try to pick somewhere for Christmas every year. We’ve been to Greece, England and Germany. We don’t have kids but we have a little Frenchie named Winston. He runs the household, of course. 

Hidden talent: I can actually play the piano. I used to be really good when I was a kid. I just tinker around now. 

Photo: Cindy Peterson