Media Patch wants you to get to know your first responders. They do dangerous work and Patch would like to recognize them. Meet Edward Gibson Jr., vice president of the and veteran firefighter. Please send us responders who you would like to see profiled.
Name: Ed Gibson Jr.
D.O.B.: Jan. 28, 1939
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Hometown: Media
Rank/Title: Vice President
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How long have you been with the Media Fire Co.?
Since I was 15. I'm 71. (That's 56 years).
What inspired you to become a firefighter?
My father (Ed Gibson Sr.) was the president of the fire company at the time. It all came down from him. My father, my uncles were all in the fire department. It's in the blood really, and it keeps going on down.
What do you like about your job?
You help other people. You see a lot of bad stuff happen with fires. We've had a lot of fatals—you see that stuff, and you just don't want it to happen again.
How has firefighting changed since 1954 when you first started?
Firefighting today is more difficult than it was when we were, because there are so many synthetic products, so many plastics and all. And when that stuff burns you have to wear an air pack and you have to wear all the protective gear that the fire company supplies you. If not, you could really get hurt with that stuff.
Who else in you family is active in the fire company?
My two sons (John Gibson Sr., deputy and , chief) and my two grandsons (John Gibson Jr. and Christopher Zuccarelli, both firefighters) are involved. Five of us are currently active right now in the family.
When you were growing up, did family events ever get interrupted by 9-1-1 calls?
Oh, gosh. Christmas—missed a couple of Christmases. Dates with my wife (Norma) when I was dating her. But, to me, firefighting was just a family thing, and you did it.
What was your day job?
I worked for Bell Telephone Company for 38 years as a lineman and a cable splicer.
How did you balance your job with firefighting?
It was bad. Well, sometimes we'd have a fire at night. Then you're out all night and go to work the next day, because at the time, they didn't catch them much slack. I'd go to work the next day, then I'd come back and pack hose, then you go home to have your dinner, then come back and pack more hose. You'd get the trucks back in service and hope nothing would happen.
What do you like about Media?
Media's a great town. It's nice, and since we've added all these restaurants, I think it's nicer. It's more homey. I just like Media—I have no problems with the borough at all. It's a good place to live.
