Tanner Maughan, 17, spruces up the the rescue vehicle at the Logandale Volunteer Fire Station. Photo by Mike Donahue.

By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

For as long as he can remember, 17-year-old Tanner Maughan has been enamored with everything connected with fire department rescue vehicles, ambulances, and the men and women who staff them.

As a small boy he thrilled to the sirens he heard as they screamed from the Logandale Volunteer Fire Station off Whipple Avenue on missions all over Moapa Valley. He lives nearby and he relished every exhilarating call-out.

Like many youngsters he longed to be aboard those exciting rescue vehicles doing his part to help those in need.

And while many kids eventually grow out of their I-want-to-be-a-fire fighter-when-I-grow-up stage, Tanner never relinquished his vision, never stopped dreaming.

Today Tanner is an almost permanent fixture at the Logandale station where he helps keep everything in working order although he has to wait until he’s 18 before he can be an official volunteer fire fighter/EMT.

“When the crew gets back from a call, I’ll help clean up the equipment and get everything ready for the next one,” he said.

The young volunteer was even called on to help recently when a tourist bus was involved in dreadful accident on Interstate 15. The bus was full of Asian tourists when the driver stopped on the freeway to make an illegal turn and was hit from behind by a Logandale woman.

The tourists were all transported to the Moapa Community Center where Tanner helped pass out water and was a calming presence for the hot, confused and upset bus passengers.

Don Decaria, assistant chief at the Logandale station and Tanner’s informal supervisor, has high praise for the young “unofficial volunteer” and the work he does.

“He is extremely hard working, energetic and a real joy to be around,” Decaria said. “He just started coming around one day and pitched in wherever he saw he could help. He does whatever is needed from washing rigs to cleaning up after a call. He is a great help and we look forward to when he turn’s 18 and he can be an ‘official volunteer.’”

Tanner plans on starting EMT training this fall but he has already taken major steps to learn everything he can about being a young rescue volunteer. In June, after working for months to earn the money, Tanner traveled to Damien, CT, where he learned firsthand what being a teenage EMT is all about.

Post 53 in Damien is a nationally recognized ambulance service staffed mostly by teenagers. The high school volunteers are certified in Connecticut as EMTs. They staff the radio room and operate Post 53’s three $10,000 ambulances going out on specific emergency calls.

“The teens even drive the ambulances to school,” Tanner explained. “They have a deal with the school that they leave if there’s an emergency. They operate the service in shifts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They sleep overnight in dormitory rooms in headquarters.”

Tanner’s visit to Damien was the trip of a lifetime for the Logandale teen who discovered Post 53 on the internet.

“I really wanted to learn more about their program,” he said. “So I called the director of Post 53 (Ronald Hammers) and talked to him. He said, ‘If you’re ever in the area stop on by and we’ll show you what we do.’”

The invitation was all Tanner needed.

He began saving his money and worked tirelessly at odd jobs, said his mom Robin. He even worked a pizza stand at the Clark County Fair.

“He’s a determined kid,” Robin said. “We tried to make some contacts in the (Damien) area to get some help for Tanner, but it wasn’t working out, so we decided that dad (Tom) would go, too.”

In mid June Tanner and his dad flew to Connecticut where Tanner spent almost three days with the teen volunteers in Damien. He even got to stay in the Post 53 dormitory.

“I went out on two different calls,” he said. “It was great. Those guys really know what they’re doing.”

By the time Tanner’s finished with EMT training in December he’ll be 18 and eligible for federal and county certification.

He plans to attend college to become a paramedic. With his resolve, you can probably bet it’s a sure thing.