By Ben Fletcher - Idaho Press-Tribune
ALEXANDRIA, La. - While many Idaho National Guardsmen spent their off-duty time relaxing or traveling to football games in New Orleans, a Nampa soldier decided to return to his normal job of saving lives.
Spc. Bill Arsenault works as a paramedic in the Guard's 145th Support Battalion, based out of Caldwell. But before being called up to serve a deployment in Iraq with the 116th Brigade Combat Team, he worked as a firefighter-paramedic for the Nampa Fire Department.
In late October, the father of two decided to call up the local fire chief in Louisiana, looking for the ideal way to spend 36 hours of leave time.
A phone call led to a temporary stint working with the fire department in Alexandria.
"I did something I miss a lot. It was a great experience," he said. "I'm excited to do my job, but I miss being on the truck."
The soldier did not save anyone from a burning building, but he did get to respond to a structure fire, attended some medical calls and enjoyed some homemade cooking during his stay at the station. He said the camaraderie of firefighting, which he likened to a brotherhood, is what he misses most.
"This is family here," Arsenault said of his fellow soldiers. "But the fire department is a different family. I'm not sure how to explain that."
Arsenault is one of the new hires who began working as paramedic-firefighters for the Nampa Fire Department in the past year. Nampa officials created the paramedic-firefighter positions with the idea of improving emergency services to residents.
Arsenault is confident his experience in providing emergency medical care could be beneficial to other paramedics in the 145th battalion who don't have as much real-world preparation.
"I think in that aspect, I'll be able to help them out," Arsenault said. But he noted seriously that, "If we're busy over there, it's a bad thing."
The transition from public servant to soldier has been made easier by fellow firefighters back in Nampa.
Arsenault said he receives e-mails from his fellow firefighters at the department even though he's been away at training. Those updates have helped him feel connected, although he has been away. His Nampa Fire Department T-shirt is a prized possession he'll take to war.
"A couple of times, guys sent me e-mails about big fires I missed, just to rib me a bit," Arsenault said.
But the emergency worker said he is determined to succeed while serving overseas. He was reminded of why he was fighting after seeing a plaque honoring the fallen heroes of Sept. 11 hanging on the Alexandria fire station wall.
"I don't want to go, but I'm excited to go," he said.
