Larry Shuler
After more than 15 years volunteering with Herman Volunteer Fire Company, Larry Shuler transitioned to the Butler Bureau of Fire in June 2019.
The move to a different department didn’t stop his work with Herman — he is still president of the department — and he still enjoys firefighter work, because of the result.
“I think mainly I enjoy helping people out,” Shuler said. “At the end of the day when you do a good job and see how that affects them emotionally, it’s a nice moment.”
Shuler was recognized as a Hometown Hero for his work as a firefighter by the Butler Rotary Club PM on Sept. 11. He was nominated by his girlfriend, Tina Kriess, who said Shuler organizes numerous fundraising events each year, and also teaches monthly firefighting classes for Herman VFD.
“Larry takes pride in being able to teach and educate children and public on fire safety every chance he gets,” Kriess wrote when nominating Shuler. “He is motivated and positively engaged, always looking for ways to improve and build the community.”
Kriess also called Shuler’s personality unforgettable, and said he has performed many “heroic moments” in his job as a firefighter.
According to Shuler, working at the Butler Bureau of Fire differs from volunteering for a fire department, in that the station is always staffed by at least one firefighter. Plus, the work in the field also differs in how he drives fire engines and maneuvers them in emergency scenarios.
“We have the quick response here, so we're out the door within a couple minutes,” Shuler said. “It's a lot different with the city streets than the roads in Summit Township.”
In addition to enjoying his duties as a firefighter, Shuler said he also enjoys the bond that forms between firefighters in a crew. Working in Butler means he pulls a few 24-hours shifts a month, making the bond between firefighters even stronger.
“When you're here this long together you have to get along like family,” Shuler said. “We pick on each other a lot, we have a lot of dry humor.”
Shuler said the fire at Sir Speedy in January, 2021 is one of the largest fires he has helped to fight. He said that firefighting, while intense, never gets boring, in part because of how many jobs a firefighter can do at a scene.
“I enjoy them all, some people like to be on the hose and go in,” Shuler said. “Going inside is also a rush and making sure everyone is OK.”
