Gaston Rural Fire District

Just weeks out of high school, Eric Boyd already is a very accomplished firefighter.

While still a student at Gaston High School, he responded to enough calls to share firefighter of the year honors for 2008.

He isn't wasting any time now that he has graduated, either. In fact, he'll have to find room on the wall next to his diploma for a couple of other certificates.

At our July 20 drill, Lt. Clay Davis (left) presented Eric with his hard-earned emergency medical technician/basic certification from the state, and then surprised him with his Firefighter 1 award as well.

Eric is serious about his career choice. When he's not responding to emergencies as a volunteer, he works for Metro West Ambulance.

His hard work has earned him the respect of even the most veteran firefighters, who this year elected him to serve as Sergeant at Arms for the volunteers.