Over the past few weeks, I’ve been attending the Citizens’ Fire Academy with the Roswell Fire Department here in Roswell.
I originally signed up simply because I was curious. Like many people, I see fire trucks rushing past and know that somewhere a team of professionals is responding to an emergency. But I realized I didn’t really understand what happens behind the scenes.
What I didn’t expect was how many stories I would discover.
As a storyteller and photographer, my instincts kicked in immediately. Every session has moments worth capturing—people demonstrating life-saving skills, firefighters explaining how they make decisions under pressure, or technology that feels like it came straight out of science fiction.
So I started doing what I naturally do: I brought my camera, took photos, and began sharing what I was learning on social media.
And something interesting happened.
Those small posts began to become little stories about the people who protect our community.
A Front Row Seat to the Stories
One evening, we met the command staff and learned how the department operates behind the scenes. I shared this on social media:
Tonight at Fire Citizens’ Academy, we got to meet Roswell’s command staff and dive into how the department protects our community — from reducing homeowners’ insurance risks to keeping us safer in our own businesses and neighborhoods. The crew walked us through their roles, answered every question our class asked, and even delivered a classic long PowerPoint with plenty of humor and real-life stories.
As a bonus, at the end of the night, we saw a demo of the cutting-edge Qwake technology they’re testing — a next-gen helmet system that combines AI, augmented reality, and thermal imaging to help firefighters see through smoke and navigate zero-visibility environments safely. It overlays thermal and edge-detection views directly in the firefighter’s line of sight, helps them locate exits and victims faster, and can stream real-time information back to the incident commander—even to headquarters—improving situational awareness for everyone.
This isn’t futuristic fantasy — departments across the country are already testing this gear as part of early rollout programs. What an incredible glimpse into the future of public safety right here in Roswell!
That night alone could have been an entire article. Instead, it became a short story shared online—one that helped people see their fire department in a new light.
The Human Side of First Responders
Another week focused on emergency medical response. What struck me most wasn’t just the equipment or procedures—it was the depth of training and teamwork required when someone’s life is on the line.
Here’s what I shared afterward:
Over the past two weeks, the Roswell Fire Department Citizens’ Fire Academy has given me a deeper appreciation for the people who show up when someone’s life is on the line.
One evening focused on lifesaving basics. Captain Bryan Thomas, Battalion Chief Danny Dwyer, and Battalion Chief & Fire Marshal Chris Archer walked us through CPR, AED use, and airway-clearance techniques. It was practical, hands-on learning that reminded me how important it is for everyday citizens to know what to do before first responders arrive.
The following week shifted to EMS, and what happens when the professionals take over.
Battalion Chief DeWayne Campbell led the evening with help from the team at Station 22, including Captain Anthony Witchousky, Firefighter Kyle Phillips, Roswell City Nurse Virginia Hames, Captain Bryan Thomas, and others. We also heard from the department’s Medical Director, Dr. E. Malcolm III, who explained the critical role a medical director plays in EMS systems.
They walked us through the different levels of EMT training and the paramedic level, showed us the tools and medications they use in the field, and demonstrated how they are used during real emergencies. Then we got to try some of it ourselves.
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T)
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
Citizen’s Academy Week #4 EMS
The LUCAS 3, v3.1 Chest Compression System is a mechanical CPR device used by emergency responders and hospitals to perform automatic chest compressions on someone in cardiac arrest. It essentially does CPR for the rescuers.
The night ended with a realistic scenario. A person was unconscious, and someone from our class had to take charge—directing one person to call 911, another to retrieve the AED, and starting CPR. As we rotated through roles, the fire engine arrived, and the EMS team took over. Watching them move from assessment to treatment with the equipment we had just learned about was incredibly impressive.
What struck me most was the depth of knowledge and experience these professionals possess. The more questions we asked, the more it became clear how deep their training really goes.
I left feeling grateful—and honestly lucky—to live in Roswell, Georgia, where the first responders are this well-trained and this committed to saving lives.
Why This Matters for Storytelling
This experience has reminded me of something I often teach:
Stories are everywhere—you just have to be paying attention.
The Citizens’ Fire Academy isn’t a marketing campaign. It’s simply a program designed to help residents understand their fire department.
But within every class are:
real people
real expertise
real moments of learning
real examples of service
Those are the ingredients of powerful storytelling.
By photographing and sharing these moments, I’m doing two things at once.
1. Helping the Fire Department Tell Their Story
Most organizations—especially public service agencies—are incredibly busy doing their work. Telling their story often falls to the bottom of the list.
By sharing what I’m seeing and learning, I’m helping shine a light on:
The training firefighters go through
The technology they are testing
The professionalism of the team
The importance of community preparedness
It’s a small way of giving back to the department that serves our city.
2. Demonstrating My Own Storytelling Skills
At the same time, these posts are quietly doing something else.
They’re showing how I work as a storyteller.
Instead of simply saying, “I’m a storyteller,” people are seeing it in action:
Identifying meaningful moments
Capturing photos that show what’s happening
Turning information into human stories
Sharing those stories in ways people want to read
In other words, the best marketing for storytelling is often telling stories.
Marketing Without Feeling Like Marketing
One of the challenges many photographers and communicators face is how to promote their work without constantly talking about themselves.
This experience has been a great reminder that the best marketing often focuses on someone else’s story.
When you highlight meaningful work happening around you:
The audience learns something valuable
The organization receives positive exposure
And your storytelling ability becomes visible in a natural way
It’s authentic, helpful, and far more engaging than simply posting, “Look at what I can do.”
A Grateful Student
I’m only partway through the Citizens’ Fire Academy, and already it has deepened my respect for the men and women who serve our community through the Roswell Fire Department.
It has also reminded me that great stories are often hiding in plain sight—in classrooms, training sessions, community programs, and everyday moments where people are serving others.
Sometimes all it takes is paying attention, picking up a camera, and sharing what you see.
