Paul Zanelli joined the Goodwill Fire Company, Germansville, in August 2013.

He had some firefighter training with the Navy and was looking for something to replace the military brotherhood.

Zanelli knew Chief Jay Scheffler, who told him there was a "good bunch of guys" volunteering with the fire company.

Enrolled in Firefighter I training in Bucks County, he will be nationally certified as a Firefighter I on June 18.

Zanelli and his wife, Jamie, live on Bake Oven Road. She is native to the area but he came from Bucks County.

"If you want to learn firefighting, join Germansville," Zanelli said. They train like their lives depend on it," he said.

His wife is supportive and helps keep a Facebook page for the fire company.

He said everyone from officers to junior firefighters treats each other with respect.

"I feel like I belong," Zanelli said. "They are a great bunch of guys."