When Adam and Philip Caudle finish the last round of testing this week, they’ll become the third generation of firefighting Caudles. In fact, some might say, fire-fighting is in their blood, or perhaps there’s something in their names — both men are named after firefighting relatives.
Their father, Steve Caudle, currently serves as a fire investigator and second in charge at Hopkins County Fire Department.
He is also shift lieutenant at Watauga Fire Department where he’s been a full-time firefighter for 25 years. However, Steve Caudle’s dedication to fighting fires goes back even further than that.
“I started volunteering in Watauga when I was 16, so I have 35 years total there,” Steve Caudle said during an interview of Steve and his sons earlier this week at the Northeast Texas Fire/EMS Training Academy, where Steve also occasionally helps out with live drills and classes.
He was also one of the first paid firemen for the Hopkins County Fire Department.
“Steve has been with the county since 1999. Along with Jerry Horton and me, we are the original three still left,” said HCFD Chief Carl Nix. “Steve has been a tremendous asset to the county, by handling all fire investigations and assisting me in the emergency management programs and fire prevention activities.”
The Caudle family’s roots as firemen go back even further.
Steve’s father, Merle Dean Caudle, was the fire chief in Watauga until his death on Feb. 12, 1978.
“He died of a heart attack in the line of duty at the young age of 40,” Steve Caudle explained.
Adam and Philip Caudle said this week that firefighting has always been their goal. From a young age they knew they wanted to follow in their father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.
The Caudle brothers have finished up the course work for the basic fire suppression class and last week together participated in live burns and other hands-on drills at Northeast Texas Fire/EMS Training Academy’s drill field in Sulphur Springs. They will complete their testing on Feb. 11.
Both Adam and Steve are also already enrolled in the academy’s basic emergency medical technician class; professional departments require that certification along with state firefighter licensing, and most now are requiring their firefighters also be certified paramedics.
Adam and Philip said they are willing to go wherever the job takes them. Where they finally settle will depend largely on which departments are hiring when they finish school.
The brothers share a passion for fire-fighting, and interestingly enough both are named after their firefighting relatives. Adam’s middle name is Dale, the same as their dad. Philip’s middle name is Merle, in honor of the grandfather neither got to meet.
While the Caudles are training for the same profession, they are as individual as their names. Their class choices are reflective of those differences.
Adam, 27, lives in Saginaw and has just completed the online fire training class. He commuted to Sulphur Springs for skills tests and live burns, such as this week’s activities. The online class was the perfect fit for a man with a 3-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, and wife, Samantha.
Adam was also raised in the Watauga area, like his father. After graduating high school, he served his country as an F16 crew chief in the U.S. Air Force. He served four years of active duty as a tactical aircraft journeyman and four additional years as a reserve, and expects he will have 9 years total before he finishes his service with the Air Force.
Philip has been attending the traditional 468-hour basic fire suppression course offered weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the training academy on Sharon Lane since Nov. 9, 2009.
Philip, 19, lives at home with his parents in Hopkins County, where he was raised. He graduated in 2009 from Miller Grove High School, and decided to tackle his goal of becoming a professional firefighter right away by signing up at NETF/ETA for the fall semester.
And firefighting does appear to be in the Caudle blood. There’s a distinct possibility a fifth name will be added to the list of firefighting Caudles. Steve’s youngest son, Brandon Caudle, indicated plans to attend the fire academy when he graduates from Sulphur Springs High School in 2011.
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