Paul Conklin, Byram fire chief

Byram — Recently, we invited Paul Conklin, Byram Township’s fire chief, to our school for an interview. For the past 3 ½ years, Mr. Conklin was an assistant fire chief in our town. In January of this year, he became Byram Township’s fire chief. We learned a great deal from him about the responsibilities of his job. Mr. Conklin was born in Orange, New Jersey. His desire to be a firefighter grew soon after he started working at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in 1974. Here he met coworkers who, like himself, had an interest in firefighting. He and his friends decided to start a fire brigade. Over the next 16 years, Mr. Conklin took classes to learn about industrial firefighting. Before long, Chief Conklin decided that he would like to put his skills and expertise to further use. In 1990 he volunteered to help our community by joining Byram’s fire department. Since that time he has had training in pump operations, basement and cellar fires, structural fire attacks, industrial fire protection, handling of gas emergencies, removal of hazardous materials, arson detection and ice rescues, just to name a few! He never knows when he’ll need to use one of these skills. Aside from fires, Chief Conklin has been summoned to motor vehicle accidents, has helped get cats out of trees, and has even rescued deer that have fallen through the ice. The chief’s hobbies include learning about the latest fire techniques, fishing, and riding his motorcycle. When he’s not at work as a firefighter, he is in charge of his own business, Conklin Home Improvements. He opened this business because he loves making people’s homes look beautiful. Byram Township’s fire department has 42 dedicated members who are all volunteers. “We are in business to save lives. The town’s fire department, ambulance squad, and police department all have helped to save many people throughout the years.” We asked Mr. Conklin what he enjoys most about being a firefighter. He replied, “I am honored knowing that all of the other firefighters believe and trust in me to be their chief.” His advice to kids who hope to become firefighters one day is, “Do well in school, because becoming a firefighter requires hours and hours of training and schooling. The more classes you take to prepare you for this job, the better firefighter you will become.”