TORRINGTON – Rushing into a burning building wasn’t always in Luis Correa’s blood. No, matter of fact, Torrington Volunteer Fire Department’s newest Fire Chief would have never imagined he would be chasing one of the most unpredictable disasters known, fire. Whether man-made or naturally occurring, it takes a special human to risk their own life to save another being and their property. 

Correa started out his career as a firefighter after changing jobs and finding himself with extra free time. Although it may have taken him a bit to jump in, once Correa did, he found himself quickly involved with the department. 

“It actually was pretty fast-paced for me. I had worked for Diversified Services for 11 years and towards the end of my time there I was working quite a bit of hours,” Correa explained. “So, when I left to go work for the city, I had some time. I had a lot of time on my hands.” 

Although Correa is busy now with responsibilities and commitments at the department, it is a different type of “busy” than he was accustomed to. 

“I find if I keep myself busy, I stay out of trouble,” Correa joked.

Correa has been on the department for nine years.

“I got in in December of 2015,” Correa explained. “My cousin, Monica, is married to a firefighter, Brian Kingsley. I was actually at my parents’ house I think on Thanksgiving, and I had been thinking about what to do. I had gotten on with the city in July,” Correa explained. 

Unlike some members, Correa didn’t follow in the footsteps of anyone before jumping into his bunker gear. 

“You know, it’s just always been one of those things, my parents raised me to help out when I can, and like I said I had a lot of time on my hands,” Correa said. “So, at Thanksgiving, I messaged my cousin’s husband and I said, ‘Hey, I’d like to know more about getting on the volunteer fire department. That night he brought me an application.”

Correa quickly became a member.

“The second week in December I was voted on for my probationary membership,” Correa said. “I jump into it full force. My wife once committed my first rooky year was like her being a single mother because I was gone. Between learning the trucks and fire schools. Then I became a certified diver. Our rookies are supposed to help out with the food committee. I was just gone.”

Correa recalls his first fire call with the department all those years ago.

“From the very first fire, it was a wildland fire, I knew that was something I was really, really going to be interested in,” Correa explained. 

Wildland fire is very different from structure fires, according to Correa. 

“I am not going to say structure firefighting isn’t dangerous, but you have less factors than out in the wildland firefighting. The fire could kill you. The driving could kill you. The wildlife could kill you. It’s pretty dangerous,” Correa explained. “Not that I am an adrenaline junky by any means, but you know, I am always saying that pretty much everything in the fire service scares me and I don’t know why I do it,” he joked.

In the line of service, Correa puts his fears to the side.

“Honestly, you know, it’s one of those things where I just react, instead of thinking about it. If I actually stopped and thought about the fact, I am climbing up a 100-foot ladder I would probably freak out,” Correa explained. 

“We do a lot of training. It’s changed a little bit but there were three main fire schools we would go to. The first one of the years would be Riverton, mid-winter fire school. Then Cody would be in May, and I believe in September was Wheatland’s fire school. Now it is a little bit different for them getting funding for outsourcing instructors that aren’t through the state fire marshals’ office,” Correa explained. “It’s a lot of training.” 

“I don’t think people in our own department realize just because Torrington is just a little different than the other ones. In this one station it is basically three separate entities,” Correa explained. 

“We have the City of Torrington Volunteer Fire Department and then we have Rural Fire District No. 3 and then the third entity we call it the ‘membership’ or the ‘upstairs’ and it’s the members. So, we have a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasure that handle stuff that is not operational, it’s not firefighting per se, it’s just outreach for the public and bylaws and stuff,” Correa said. “It’s a little bit different.”

When asked how Correa juggles a busy fire station, a regular job and a family, he laughed and said, “Some days, you know, I don’t know. One task at a time.”

Correa thanked the group of firefighters on his team.

“I got a great group of guys. I can’t say enough about my division chiefs and my captains. I’ve got an air-pack captain. I’ve got a dive captain and then I’ve got an assistant chief, a safety division chief, city chief, rural chief and admin,” Correa explained. “When I picked them, I wanted a good combination of leaders who have been in there in the past. Former chief Lance Petsch is my safety guy.

Correa is proudly supported by his wife Lauren and children Serena, Sophia and Gabriel and was born and raised in Torrington.