WIESBADEN, Germany - An American firefighter who accompanied his wife to Germany has found a place to continue doing what he loves. After weeks of studying and then passing practical exams, Joshua Stotler is now certified as a volunteer firefighter with the Wiesbaden-Biebrich fire department, one of the oldest in Germany.
Stotler, who was a professional firefighter before moving to Wiesbaden, has been volunteering with the fire department for more than a year but couldn't respond to calls.
After attending the German fire academy every weekday for five weeks he passed the written and practical exams in late March. He is now a full-fledged member of a volunteer department that has been in existence since 1851.
"I am very excited I can now respond to calls. It was great. I've been waiting for a year and a half to go," said Stotler. "Before when the calls would come in I would be left behind."
Stotler grew up wanting to be a firefighter. "I have an uncle who was a fire chief and a grandfather who was a firefighter," said Stotler. "I have a degree in fire protection technology from Miramar College in California and I worked for five years as a paid firefighter with the Ocotillo Fire Dept, San Diego Rural Fire Department, and the City of San Jose Fire Department."
When he came to Germany with his wife, a Department of Defense civilian employee, he was unsure how he could continue his firefighting career. Then Stotler bumped into a German firefighter at a party. "He said 'why don't you come on with the volunteers.' He helped me with the paperwork and gave me the phone number for the fire station chief," said Stotler.
GAfA1/4nter Becker, the chief of his shift for the professional firefighters at station three and the chief of the volunteers at station 23 where Stotler helps out, said they are happy to have Stotler on board.
"He's nice, friendly and he likes the job," said Becker. "The fellows are proud to have him here."
When he first arrived at the station Stotler wasn't sure what to expect. "I was nervous, but everyone was really friendly," he said. "They are some of the friendliest people I've ever met."
"Some of the guys took time off to help me study for the test," said Stotler, adding that they exchange information about American and German firefighting techniques. "There are different tools and processes."
The Stotlers will be in Germany until next year and then they must return to the United States. "I'm not looking forward to leaving. This is something very few people get to do," said Stotler. "I have enjoyed the cultural blending. I have learned that people are people and if you treat them like family they'll treat you like family right back. I didn't intend on this and it blossomed into something I couldn't have hoped for."
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