FORT CARSON, Colo. - Pfc. Johne Rochefort is an Army Firefighter at Fort Carson. “Besides this being the actual best job in the world in my opinion, because there’s a wide variety of the skill set that you’re allowed to do, it’s a really good feeling to know the community itself can rely upon you,” he said.
When Rochefort, a 4th Infantry Division Soldier from Orlando, Fla., joined the Army in Aug. 2022, he was striving to show one person in particular how to be all you can be.
“My mom called me one day and said, ‘Your little brother is looking up to you - same haircut, music style, fashion sense, the whole nine yards,’” said Rochefort. “So, I took that and asked, alright, how can I be a better role model for him while also bettering myself? And, it just sprung on me to enlist.”
Rochefort’s recruiter told him there was an opening for a 12M Firefighter, and within days he was at his local Military Entrance Processing Station making his ambition a reality.
“Growing up as a kid, it was just the truck itself. I thought, aw, I’d love to ride in that,” said Rochefort. “And then growing up, I realized what they actually do, and it’s a pretty selfless job, because I’m here on post for the post itself or the people in the community.”
As a new guy, Rochefort starts his day by unloading the dishwasher, starting the coffee and then practicing drills to make sure he’s ready whenever duty calls.
Firehouse personnel rotate in the role of fixing communal meals. “We’ll go to the commissary, buy everything, cook up a big meal, sit down, eat it like a big old family dinner,” said Rochefort.
This sense of community and bonding is something Rochefort really appreciates. “When we go out to a fire or a medical call, it’s all hands on deck and we’re trying to protect property or putting out the fire, but once we get back it’s double-checking on, essentially, family,” he said.
Rochefort and his fellow Fort Carson firefighters take every call seriously. “Whether it’s on- or off-post for mutual aid, we know that on their worst day we need to be our best,” said Rochefort. “Even if it’s something small, or something stupidly large, we bring our A-game and afterwards, we get that feeling of, ‘Alright, cool, we’re earning the community’s trust.’
At the end of the day, Rochefort and other firefighters spend their time working out or studying for professional development.
Captain Jerame Bullard has seen Rochefort’s development up close. “We got him over to Fire Station 32, which has the HAZMAT program, which is a pretty in-depth program, and he’s excelled at that, at learning his job,” said Bullard. “We’re preparing him to be a driver-operator on the engine currently. He’s really diving in and having a good time.”
Rochefort takes pride in interacting with the next generation, kids who run up to the fire truck when it’s put on display. “We give ’em little badges and little fire hats; they absolutely love it and it’s also getting in touch with the community,” Rochefort said.
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