Kyle Hunt knew he liked serving and helping others, so while still a student in high school he began to explore a career in public safety.
His junior year, Hunt took a law enforcement class, then his senior year he enrolled in a firefighting class.
“I knew I wanted to either be a police officer or a firefighter,” he said. “It was something I always wanted to do.”
While enrolled in the firefighting and emergency management service class at Southmont High School his senior year, Hunt found his calling.
“That class really solidified my idea that this is what I wanted to do with my life,” he said.
Hunt also had a lot of friends serving on volunteer fire departments around the county and he thought “why not, we’ll see what happens.”
“I really just fell in love with it, so I got on at a volunteer fire department,” he added.
After serving nearly two years on the Waveland Volunteer Fire Department, Hunt was hired on at the Crawfordsville Fire Department in March 2015.
“I applied as soon as I turned 21 … as soon as I was able,” Hunt said.
His high school course work and service on a volunteer fire department made the transition to the professional department much easier.
Hunt, a Crawfordsville High School graduate, also finished his public safety management degree from IUPUI while working for the CFD. He then attended paramedic school with Indianapolis EMS.
“Everyone on the department is put through paramedic school,” Hunt said.
Those who join CFD also earn certifications in many areas, including emergency medical technician, firefighting and hazardous material awareness.
Hunt currently serves as a firefighter and Quick Response Team paramedic.
“My role now is to deal with any runs dealing with substance abuse, whether its drugs or alcohol or mental health or behavioral health. As a QRT paramedic I try to connect those people with resources beyond just taking them to the emergency room,” he said. “Sometimes that’s not the only fix we want or what the patient needs. They need to get to a recovery or detox center or in-patient facility for psychiatric issues or behavioral health. We try to connect our patients with those resources rather than just dropping them off at the ER and saying good luck.”
Hunt also responds on fire calls and vehicle crashes on the back of Engine 2.
He welcomes the variety of responsibilities that come with being a firefighter/paramedic “It’s not the same thing every day … it’s always an adventure,” Hunt said.
In addition to responding to calls for service, while on duty Hunt also helps clean around the station, cares for the trucks and other equipment, attends class or participates in hands-on training.
He foresees a long future with the CFD.
“I’m going to keep doing this as long as I am mentally and physically able to do the job,” he said.
Hunt encourages others interested in a firefighting career to start with a volunteer department.
“It’s a great way to get your feet wet,” Hunt said. “You may find out you only want to be a volunteer or maybe you truly fall in love with it and want to make it a career like I did.”
Hunt and his wife of six years, Victoria, reside in Crawfordsville with their golden retriever, Trapper John. They stay busy with home renovations, camping and being involved at Northview Church in West Lafayette.
