Firefighter of the Month: Nate Coia

Name: Nate Coia

Age: 20

Hometown: Doylestown

High School: CB West - Class of 2011

College: Bucks County Community College

Fire Company: Doylestown

Years of volunteering:  I started when I was 14 years old with the Explorer (junior) program. At the age of 18, I became an active firefighter and have been fighting fires ever since.

Why I joined:  I wanted to help people in my community. Another reason I joined was for the adrenaline rush. One minute you’re at home, the next you’re on your way to help someone in an emergency situation - anything from a car accident to a house fire.

Tell one story you'll never forget about your firefighting experience:  Being part of Doylestown Fire Company is not just work. We are like a big family. For example, a group of us participated in the “Tough Mudder” In November and finished as a team. It was a challenge and shows you what you’re really made of; it is a 12-mile run and obstacle course designed by British Special forces. All the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

What do you most want people in the community to know about the work: We are 100 percent volunteer. When the pager goes off, you stop what you’re doing and go help others. Even If that mean the middle of the night and you have to get up early in the morning to go to work. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to being a firefighter.

Nominating statement: "Nate is one of our younger active members, and for the first half of this year, he has responded to more than 240 emergency calls making his participation rate over 75 percent." - Bill Cope, Doylestown Fire Company