It is the first Monday of April, which means we are recognizing another valued member of our team during #MeetUsMonthly.  

We want to introduce you to Interim Engineer Justin Allen, who recently celebrated his two-year anniversary with the Clayton Fire Department. On a day-to-day basis, he is responsible for operating the truck, transporting crew members from the station to fire scenes, and getting water to the hoses. 

Since starting in January 2022, Allen says it has been exciting to watch the Town of Clayton further develop and he appreciates continued support from the community. 

“It’s growing, but it still has the small-town feel. I think that’s what drew me to try this out in Clayton. I’ve loved every minute. I knew I made the right decision the second that I walked through the doors.”

As a child, Allen recalls two components that steered him toward fire service. He remembers being in a car accident at nine-years-old with his grandmother as well as his father’s involvement with emergency medical service (EMS) as a volunteer. 

His fire service career begins in 2010 as a volunteer firefighter. He describes how crucial volunteers are to any fire department. 

“I think it’s very important because if I don’t know if I’m going to enjoy it or not, it’s a good way to get into it and figure things out. And the ones who really enjoy it can go into it as a career. It definitely got me a lot of experience that helped me in my career here and to appreciate this job.”

After a period of exploration, Allen says his friends were influential in his decision to turn his volunteer role into a full-time career along with his drive to help people.  

When he is away from the station, Allen loves spending time with his wife and five kids, especially taking vacations to Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and trying to relax between shifts.