'Whatever People Need, We're There for Them'
A former salesman takes on even the little, necessary things to be a firefighter.
Wessel told Patch his salesman days helped prepare him to be a good fireman.
Malcolm Garcia
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For a time, he was a salesman.
He worked with all kinds of people at a Best Buy selling electronics getting to know his customers, listening to them and helping them find what they wanted.
But in his heart, Michael Wessel, 22, was a firefighter.
On Friday Nov. 19 Wessel completed an eight-week training program for the Wilmette Fire Department. He credits his past sales experience as one asset that will come in handy.
"It gave me people skills," said Wessel. He is a tall young man with an easy smile, who speaks with a contagious enthusiasm. He has been at the Wilmette Fire Department just two months.
"Sales helped me relate to all kinds of people," he said.
Wessel, currently a paramedic and part-time firefighter in Woodstock, decided to become a fireman because he wanted to help people and contribute to his community. He liked the bond between firefighters, the "brotherhood," that pulled them together and made them a family during good times and bad. That feeling of being involved.
He recalled one incident about two years ago in Woodstock—a car accident. The driver was alone inside and trapped in the front seat. Wessel kept her calm and provided medical treatment while crews cut into the car to get her out. For 45 minutes he stayed with her. Then she was transported to a hospital and he never saw her again.
But he was told she survived and was doing well. He always wonders about some of the people he helps. What happens to them. It is very important to him to check on them, see if they're ok. Even if they don't know it.
Wessel began looking at Wilmette earlier in the year. He had always heard great things about the town and its fire department.
"It has the needest people," he said. "And it's a beautiful town so near the lake. What's not to like?"
Wessel knows what people see on TV about fire departments; how it looks like firefighters rush out to put out a blaze every two seconds. But, that's not the case. Between calls, he helps clean the fire house and continues with his training by reading books. He might pull out a buddy's a truck and help them with their equipment.
Little things, necessary things.
When a call comes it might not be for a fire at all. Someone might need help changing a battery in their smoke detector. Maybe they fell out of their wheelchair and need assistance.
Little things, necessary things.
"It's whatever people need," Wessel said. "We're there for them."
