For this week’s First Responder Friday, Smith County Insider interviewed Cayde Bowman, a first responder with the Smith County Rescue Squad, Pleasant Shade Fire Department, and South Carthage Fire Department.
Cayde is a Pleasant Shade native who has served as a rescue first responder for 3 years and as a fire first responder for 1 year.
Smith County First Responder Cayde Bowman
SCI: When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?
CB: 2010 May Floods
SCI: What is the best thing about your job?
CB: Knowing that what we do can make a difference in someone’s life. I haven’t done a lot in either rescue or fire but the few times I’ve been there and saw the look on a victim’s face, or their family telling us thanks, that’s priceless.
SCI: What is your proudest work accomplishment?
CB: I helped find a woman and her 3 children on the BearWaller Gap back in 2017 or 2018. They had gotten lost and ended up on a very steep hill about 100 yards off the trail. They were all braced against trees and the rope team came and helped them get back up the hill.
SCI: What advice would you give someone looking to go into your field?
CB: Never stop training. Try to stay in good physical shape.
SCI: What are your favorite hobbies and activities outside of work?
CB: I like to hunt, fish, and kayak.
SCI: Is there anything else you want to share with the readers of Smith County Insider?
CB: I want to tell all our first responders thank you for what you do.
Thank you for your service to Smith County, Cayde!
Don’t miss next week’s First Responder Friday!
[wdca_ad id=”11484″ ]
[wdca_ad id=”11404″ ]
