Jumpline magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 26
The House Tha
Remembering
Captain Bill Gustin
Captain Kevin Attai and D/O Ralph Carrillo
Captain Bill Gustin was a man whose compassion knew
no bounds. He treated everyone with respect, from the
Fire Chief to the less fortunate while on calls. Capt. G led
from the front, always pushing us to do better, while never seeking recognition for the countless ways he helped
others. He was truly a student of the 昀椀re service, always
studying, mastering his craft, and passing on the knowledge he gained. His pranks and sense of humor brightened our days. His legacy of compassion, kindness, leadership, and mentorship will live on in all of us who had the
honor to serve alongside him.
From the members of Firehouse 2, “Rest easy, Captain G.
we’ll take it from here as you look over us from up above!”
Compassion
Bill Gustin was one of the most compassionate people you
could ever meet. He treated everyone with respect and
dignity, regardless of their status or role. If you closed your
eyes while he was speaking, you wouldn’t be able to tell
if he was addressing the Fire Chief, a probationary employee, the custodian, or a homeless person on the side
of the road. His warmth and kindness made everyone feel
comfortable in his presence.
Bill had an incredible memory for names and personal details, even if he had only met you once. Around the 昀椀rehouse, it was common to see him welcoming new faces.
When someone new walked into the kitchen, Bill would be
the 昀椀rst to greet them, pulling them into the fellowship at
the table. Thanks to him, they instantly felt like part of the
crew, their anxiety and fear of walking into the 昀椀rehouse
melting away.
What made Bill truly remarkable was
that most of his compassionate acts
were done quietly, without seeking recognition. He never spoke about the
times he pulled out his checkbook at
the scene of a 昀椀re to help a family
that had lost everything, covering hotel costs, food, and clothing. He never mentioned the people whose 昀椀re
college tuition he paid because they
couldn’t afford it, nor did he talk about
the members he helped stay in their
homes by covering their rent during
hard times.
His sel昀氀ess actions left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Even today,
citizens from Station 2’s territory still ask about
him—a testament to the profound impact he
had on the community.
Leadership
Captain Bill led from the front. He knew the
power of his words and the in昀氀uence of his
actions. His work ethic set the standard. He
was often the hardest working member during
drills. In training classes, he always sat front
row with a notepad in hand, giving the instructor his full attention and respect. The irony
was, of course, that Bill had likely forgotten
more about the 昀椀re service than most of us would ever
know.
He had an unwavering commitment to fostering growth
in others. When a team member had a new idea during
training, Bill never shut it down, even if he knew it wouldn't
