Marple Newtown Patch wants you to get to know your first responders. They do dangerous work and Patch would like to recognize them. Meet this first responder who is a firefighter with the Newtown Square Fire Co.

Name: Frank Forbes

Age: 45

Hometown: Ridley

Rank/Title: Firefighter/EMT

How long have you been with the Newtown Square Fire Co.?

About two years.

What do you like about your job?

I've been a firefighter for 18 years. I work as a firefighter in Chester and here in Newtown Square. It's my job but I like what I do. I like the excitement.

What do you dislike about your job?

Mostly the downtime we have.

What inspired you to become a firefighter?

When I was little, I got burned once. I was trying to put out a fire when I was real little. I must have been in second grade–I saw a brush fire and stomped on it to take it out. Surprisingly, that didn't scare me from fire but that was my first experience with fire. Years later when I was much older, I was in construction and I wanted a job with really good benefits and pension. I saw the local fire department that needed help so I joined.

What do you like about the Marple Newtown area?

It’s absolutely beautiful here. We cover about 40 square miles here–there's really good open space. I wish I could’ve came out here before I bought my house.

What do you want the general public to know about the Newtown Square Fire Co.?

We are very well equipped and we have great leadership here.