HERO PROFILE: AVFD Fire Fighter Steve Torzone

“A Fireman's Prayer...

When I am called to duty, God Wherever flames may rage, Give me strength to save some lifeWhatever be its age.  Help me embrace a little childBefore it is too late,Or save an older person from The horror of that fate.”

The Fireman’s Prayer hangs on the wall of Steve Torzone’s home office just above his computer. This is a very fitting place for the plaque. As a volunteer firefighter with the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department, Torzone not only spends time at the firehouse but also at his computer. Torzone is the web master for the AVFD. 

“I have been interested in firefighting for about 20 years. I have not had the opportunity to be a volunteer firefighter in the many locations I have lived because there were no volunteer fire departments located conveniently to me. So I got involved with search and rescue as a pilot in order to keep the adrenaline and excitement of EMS alive within me,” said the Crofton resident.

Torzone became involved with the AVFD after moving from California. “The first order of business after my wife and I moved to Crofton was to look for a volunteer fire department.  So I got involved with AVFD within weeks of our move to MD. I have now been involved with the fire department for 2 years,” said Torzone. 

When asked what the best part of the job is, Torzone had only one answer “excitement of the call!” He went on to add “No two calls are the same. You have to think on your feet in the heat of the moment. I love the challenge of arriving on the scene of an accident or fire and figuring out the best way to attack or handle the environment.”    

Torzone, the father of four, said “Worst part of the job for me is seeing an injured child. Having children of my own really makes me thankful that they are home safe while I am out helping someone else who may not be as fortunate.”

“My most interesting day thus far was my first fire alarm in a local town home community. I was only cleared by the fire department a couple of weeks prior and all of your training comes to a culmination when you step off of the engine. That's when the excitement begins!” said Torzone. 

Since joining the department, Torzone has participated in many fundraising events such as Christmas tree sales and pit beef, as well as community outreach efforts such as educating the Girl Scouts and the Santa Cruise, acting as Santa.  

“Recently I have taken on the responsibility of updating and maintaining the internal and external information systems at the department, acting as the Information Systems Committee Chairman. I oversee a group of volunteer members to help me as the webmaster for the company website www.arundelfire.com. We update and maintain the membership information and access to internal and external websites (Facebook, Yahoo groups, members only web access).  I am also responsible for updating and maintaining company information assets such as computers, printers, routers, etc...” said Torzone.