Jim Allen, chief of the North Merrick Fire Department, recently spoke to Merrick Patch editor, Emily Cappiello, about how it feels to serve his community and why he loves Merrick.

How long have you been chief?

I have been chief for five years and I have been in the department for 23 years. I am the fourth generation in my family to join the North Merrick Fire Department.

How does it feel to serve your community in such a leadership-type role?

It is a great feeling to lead the department and it is a nice feeling to help the people in the same town that I live in.

What is something that someone said to you that made you feel really good about your role in the community?

Just hearing "thank you" makes me feel good.

In your eyes, what makes Merrick a great place to serve?

The great thing I love about Merrick is it is a small town and everybody knows everyone and is always willing to help each other out. I wouldn’t want to live any place else.

What is a piece of advice you would give to those aspiring to volunteer in the fire department?

I would stop down to the firehouse and talk to the members. It is a great feeling to volunteer but something that a lot of people do not get is that it takes a lot of time and training to be a volunteer firefighter or an EMS member.