Darrel and Nikki Martindale

ROYAL CITY - Husband-and-wife team Darrel and Nikki Martindale are volunteer firefighters for Grant County Fire District No. 10.

Darrel previously served as a firefighter and EMT from 2004-2006, also with district 10. Then the Martindales moved away. With their move back to Royal City, Darrel joined again.

Nikki joined Because Darrel encouraged her to. Her father is also one of District 10's firefighters and a former EMT. Her brother was also a firefighter/EMT when he lived in the area.

Nikki commented on her family's involvement by adding: "I hope I'm not just a lemming."

Darrel said he joined to try to do something for the community.

"I especially saw the need for younger volunteers at the fire department," he said.

Nikki is often the only woman on a fire call. That designation has its pluses.

"People really think they need to watch their language around me," she said. "When we are training and it comes time to try out a new skill, everyone is all 'Ladies first.' It would be nice to watch a couple of the guys stumble through a new skill before I have to try it."

Nikki noted there is the strength issue. Some of the things the guys do easily are a challenge for her, but she accomplishes them.

The Martindales are parents of two boys, ages 5 and 7.

"The seven-year-old thinks it's cool that Mom and Dad are firefighters," Nikki said. "The five-year-old just likes going to Grandma's house when we have training."

Darrel lists his most interesting call as the first one he and Nikki responded to together. It was a motor vehicle accident.

"I reassured Nikki that she would be fine," Darrel said.

Nikki stabilized the head of the patient until the ambulance crew arrived with a "C" collar.

"My worst call was an extended family member with a broken hip," Darrel said. "On most calls someone from the fire department knows the person involved."

Darrel made the comment that some community members still do not realize that this is a volunteer fire department.

"I had a couple of discussions with community members about the tax levy," he said. "They said something about the firefighters being well paid. I explained that we leave our paid jobs to respond to fire and ambulance calls.

"This costs me lost wages. If the call is at night and we go, we still have to be to work at the regular time. The response was two handshakes and a WOW!"

Darrel commented that the fire department runs smoothly with Chief Brian Evans in charge.

But nothing is perfect. Nikki would appreciate any form of a restroom at the Adams Road station.