YFD Captain Paul Evancho set to retire
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – One local fire captain’s retirement is approaching quickly after many years of serving the Yuma community.
Captain Paul Evancho has served with the Yuma Fire Department (YFD) for more than three decades where he has filled many roles.
“Honestly, it’s bittersweet…my heart is definitely here. It’s on the truck. It’s on the street, but I’m kind of old for this position,” says Captain Evancho with YFD.
Evancho started off by joining the YFD reserves program in 1993. Ever since, he has filled many roles during his time as a firefighter including an engineer, fire instructor, captain, and head of the Yuma Child Burn Survivor Foundation.
Evancho says there’s many reasons he loves what he does like the friendships and camaraderie, but helping others is his driving force every day.
“People call 911 at the absolute worst time in their life, something is happening in their life that they can’t control, and they are calling for help, right, why not me,” Evancho stated.
As his retirement rolls around the corner, he gave some advice to his peers at the fire house and anyone wanting to become a firefighter.
“I would tell them to work hard, yea just work hard, keep doing, fight the good fight, you know serve the people, that’s what we do,” says Evancho.
Finally, he would like to say a few words to the community he’s served over the years.
Evancho says, “They’ve supported me tremendously through the Yuma Child Burn Foundation, it’s been a great relationship, I hope that continues, but yea I love Yuma.”
Evancho is set to retire on this Friday, October 31.