NICOLE LOZARE
Firehouse.Com News

A volunteer firefighter who died Dec. 15 when he lost control of his fire truck while responding to a call will be especially missed by local elementary school students. Paul Ezernack, Jr., 28, of the Zwolle Volunteer Fire Department in Lousiana was also the custodian for Zwolle Elementary School.

He was scheduled to speak to a class about firefighting the day he died, officials said.

Ezernack worked at the school for almost ten years. He would open the doors for the children and make sure they got in the school safely. "He would greet the kids whether it was raining or shining," said Zwolle Firefighter Greg Hager.

Ezernack was responding to a grass fire call when he lost control of the 1500 gallon tanker on a curb, fire officials said.

The embankment gave way under the right wheels of the tanker. Ezernack tried to get the tanker back on the roadway when it flipped and rolled sideways before ejecting Ezernack from his seat. The tanker rolled over one and a half times before skidding upside down 200 yards down the road.

Ezernack was thrown 170 yards from where he was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene according to Hager.

Ezernack, who became a volunteer firefighter in August, is remembered as a very giving man. "He never asked for anything," said Hager, "He wanted to do something for the community and firefighting was what he loved."

The stocky built Ezernack also loved wrestling and would be unavailable during Monday Night Wrestling unless the fire department paged him. He also enjoyed fishing and owned a fishing boat.

Ezernack lived with his parents near the fire station. Along with his parents, he is survived by two brothers and two sisters.

Born and raised in Zwolle, Ezernack will be laid to rest at the Zwolle Cemetary with full firefighter honors.

Donations can be sent to the Zwolle Volunteer Fire Department at 919 Hammond Street, Zwolle, LA 71486.