K-LOVE’s Positive People – by Rafael Sierra, Jr. (complete podcast available) (more Positive People stories)
Gary Boling is no stranger to fighting fires. For decades, the 89-year-old retired fire chief has been serving the Phoenix community, treating people with kindness and compassion and always there to lend a helping hand.
“I just love people. I love kind people. And I love talking to children. And I like to feel that I’m part of their growing up”
Gary has had a long career in public service. First, he served as an EMT in New York, then as a paramedic until becoming fire chief at the Whitehall Fire Department in Michigan. Today, Gary serves as senior volunteer docent at the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting in Phoenix, AZ leading museum tours for both young and old.
“I enjoy helping young people,” says Gary. “I enjoy informing people about the fire service. And also, about the emergency medical service.”
He hopes visitors will become “kind and caring” individuals, and if they’re called to the emergency services field, become caring professionals.
As for retirement? Not anytime soon! Gary says he’ll continue to volunteer as long as he’s physically able to, playfully saying, “as long as I’m above ground.”
“I just love people. I love kind people,” says Gary. “Makes me feel alive! Even though I’m 89 years old.”
Click the full interview below