Crime & Safety

See That New Fire Truck? Thank Brian Wright

Wright, a 20-plus year fire department veteran, was recently honored for his aid in helping the city purchase more than $1 million in new emergency equipment.

When more than $1 million is at stake, you better be mindful of what's best for the community.

Brian Wright, a 24-year veteran of the Coronado Fire Department, was, and the Chamber of Commerce has honored him with the Firefighter of the Year Award for his hard work.

Wright, 42, helped guide the process when the city needed to update its equipment and buy a new ladder truck, pumper engine and ambulance for the department. Because the purchases are expected to last up to 20 years, the acting captain wanted to make sure Coronado built a relationship with the right manufacturer to tailor the units to the city's specifications.

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It was a fitting task for someone who has been entranced by fire engines since he was a boy.

“Every time a fire truck was on my street, I had to be there to see what they were doing,” said the El Cajon native.

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By the time he graduated from high school, Wright had touched base with a neighbor, a Coronado fire captain named Dennis Johnson, who picked up on the teen's fascination with firefighting and invited him to participate in a work-experience program.

By 1988, less than two years out of high school, he was a full-time firefighter in Coronado. The married father of three, who still lives in El Cajon, became an engineer 11 years ago, and has taken on other leadership roles in the department, establishing a four-day boot camp for engineer candidates.

Though Coronado is small, he said he has not been tempted to move to other departments.

“Everyday you come across and look at the Strand and think, ‘I'm really fortunate to be here,’” he said. “I can't believe I've already been here as long as I have.”

 

The Coronado Chamber of Commerce recently honored four community members, including a police detective, firefighter and lifeguard. Patch will feature the winners in upcoming articles. 


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