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A Washington pilot left his commercial airline job to work as a firefighter and paramedic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hunter Chumbley, 36, took unpaid leave from his job as a Horizon pilot to work with Orting Fire and Rescue beginning in April, KING-TV reports. Because training had been halted because of the coronavirus, the department was looking for experienced paramedics to help for six months.
Chumbley is no stranger to working at a fire department. For several years, he was a firefighter and paramedic with East Pierce Fire and Rescue.
“Both jobs really have an adrenaline rush behind them,” he told KING.
Chumbley quit the fire service three years ago to pursue his dream to become a pilot. Even though leaving an established career was scary, Chumbley said he did it because it was a goal he wanted to achieve.
Although he enjoys the fire service, Chumbley plans to return his job as a pilot in the fall. Ideally, he would like to juggle both roles.
“I kind of have a dream of doing them both at the same time," he told KING. "I have a lot of love for flying and I have a lot of love for being a firefighter/paramedic."
