Many children say they want to be firefighters or police officers when they grow up.
President Obama's nominee to head the U.S. Fire Administration readily admits he was one of those kids.
"I was five when I saw the firefighters in action when a house burned in Shreveport. I loved the action. I was bitten. That's all I ever wanted to do from that moment on," said Kelvin Cochran, who may soon be the chief of the nation's fire service.
It's still difficult for him to describe how he felt when he was contacted by White House staff about the nomination.
"I am humbled beyond words that he would consider my credentials and background for such a position. I consider it a tremendous honor to be asked to lead the American fire service..."
Cochran, who is still on duty as chief in Atlanta, said he doesn't know when the Senate confirmation hearing will be held.
As he prepares for that meeting, he's holding off discussing issues that fire and rescue personnel across the nation are facing.
But, he is confident that he will represent their interests.
"I'm looking forward to working with (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, and being part of the Obama team..."
Cochran, who became a firefighter for Shreveport, La. in 1981, grasped at every opportunity. "The more I got into it, the more passionate I became," he said, adding that he can't speak enough about the importance of training and education.
He said he hopes people garner everything they can from the knowledgeable firefighters whose careers are winding down.
"It's the networking, the personal relationships you make as you go along in this business. Some of the people I met years ago are now chiefs as well..."
In 1999, he was tapped to wear the white helmet in Shreveport. In 2008, he took over the top job in Atlanta.
That move also forced Cochran to take another. As first vice-president of the IAFC, he was in line to lead that organization.
But, he realized he couldn't do it. "I knew as the chief of a major metropolitan city, there was no way I could do both. I accepted the responsibility to serve Atlanta, so I relinquished the IAFC position."
Cochran said he's looking forward to what lies ahead, and believes he can make a difference for the nation's fire service.
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