Bell Techlogix employee balances work and volunteering as a firefighter

Solving IT challenges for customers is just one part of Scott Richmond's diverse career journey. The Deskside Support Analyst at Bell Techlogix is also a nationally certified firefighter. For 11 years, Scott has volunteered with his local fire department and recently earned the Line Officer of the Year award. Members of Scott's fire department nominated him for the award which recognizes extraordinary commitment to leadership, community, and safety. 

Scott is a volunteer Class A interior firefighter in Bennington, Vermont. He’s nationally certified as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I, and Fire Officer I/II. He follows in the footsteps of his father who was a police officer and a volunteer firefighter. Scott always wanted to be a firefighter, but it wasn't until his hometown was ravaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011 that he made his dream a reality. 

"There were major power outages, flooding, and trees down all over town.  Through days of torrential rains and gusting winds, our fire department members were out assisting anywhere they were needed.  It was admirable to watch them in action, and I wanted to be a part of that," Scott says. "Shortly after the hurricane, I had a conversation with a member of the department, and, long story short, the conversation ended with me submitting an application to join."

Recently, Scott represented the fire department in Michigan to inspect a new fire truck he helped develop. It’s a project he’s been working on since 2016 which required approval from the town select board, the voters, and meetings with manufacturers. He used his Gift of Time hours – up to 8 hours of volunteer time per year provided by Bell Techlogix – to travel to Michigan, inspect the new fire truck, and give the approval to have it delivered to the Bennington Fire Department. 

Scott not only volunteers as a firefighter. He also volunteers at a summer camp created by the Bennington Police Department and teaches snowboarding to children in winter. 

He says volunteering has broadened his perspective about community. 

" I love my communities - I realize now that I belong to several.  Where I live we have many great programs and many people that work hard to make this a better community for all.  I love my firefighter community - I've met amazing people, done truly unbelievable things, and developed the most unlikely of friendships," he says.