Hometown Heroes Volunteer Fireman John Seitz

John Seitz joined the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department June 6, 1985, retired April 7, 2011 and rejoined January 5, 2012. The fire department has been a big part of Seitz’s life, from when he was a kid chasing the fire truck on his bike, and enjoying the firemen’s picnics, to helping contain some of Sidney’s worst fires. He is one of only 2 three generation firemen in Sidney. His grandpa and his Dad were both firemen.

Seitz has clearly enjoyed his time with the fire department and has a book full of stories to tell. His worst memory is of getting badly burned at a grass fire near Horse Creek School in June of 1987. He was on top of the fire truck when the flames came over the top of the truck. After four days in the hospital and skin graft surgery, Seitz was right back in the middle of it. It’s the only time he’s been burned.

Seitz was elk hunting with Rob Gilbert when the Hallowe’en grass fire started. When they called in that Monday morning and discovered what was happening, they hurried home, arriving late in the evening. They fought the fire until mid-morning Tuesday when the federal fire fighters took over.

Two of the biggest fires Seitz ever fought were the Lalonde Hotel and Thirud Office Supply fires. “I was coming back from Billings and could see the smoke from the Thirud fire 20 miles south of Glendive,” Seitz recalls. “When I got back, the fire was fully involved with flames coming through the roof. It’s the one and only time I was ever up in the bucket truck.”

One of Seitz’s early fires came after just a few months on the department. John’s Tires, which was where SPF Exxon is now, burned. “I was one of the new guys and I wanted to be there, start to finish,” Seitz said. “I was there over 24 hours. I’d only been with the department three or four months and I was going to take it all in.”

Seitz has responded to some horrific car wrecks, a situation that is increasing substantially with the increased traffic. When asked how he copes with the tragedy he sees, he credits his fellow fire fighters. “There are always other people there. We talk about it and work through it,” he said. “I’ve been approached about being an EMT but I don’t want to do that. Then you’re front and center. With the fire department, you don’t have to be in the middle of it,” he added.

Seitz offers a piece of advice to anyone considering joining the fire department. “When I was one of the officers dealing with potential applicants, I would tell them they needed to make a twenty year commitment. Not 10, not 16, but 20! That’s been my feeling. I want to do it. It’s my commitment to the community.”

Seitz also values the friendships he has formed over the years. “We probably never would have been friends if not for our connection through the fire department. Our paths may never have crossed. Now I have friendships that will last a lifetime.” There’s also a lot of trust among the firemen. “My life is in their hands when we enter a burning building. We’re a close-knit bunch.”

Seitz climbed the ranks from firefighter, lieutenant and captain, to rural chief/deputy chief. As for being back in the department, Seitz is enjoying it. “I want to be there for the young guys and show them that it can be fun.” The commitment also continues. “There are people counting on us. When you’re lying in bed and don’t want to respond, you have to remember that it could be your house and your family that’s needing help.”