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Firefighter Spotlight – Greg Arnette – May 2014

Greg Arnette

Name: Greg Arnette
Rank: Assistant Chief
Date Joined: 1996

Why did you join North Lenoir Fire & Rescue?
I grew up watching fire trucks go by and wanting, like every kid does, to one day be a firefighter. I had a few friends that encouraged me to join and having a 1st and 2nd cousin (Aaron and Brian Wade) being involved in NLFR motivated me to get my foot in the door.

What do you like most about North Lenoir Fire & Rescue?
Doing the job. There is no greater reward than being a firefighter. It is probably one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs that there is. The job is constantly evolving and developing at a more rapid pace than it ever has. Now that I am older and have moved up in rank, I enjoy training and helping the younger generation develop firefighting and leadership skills, and hope that I can instill traits in them that they can pass on to the next generation.

What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy fishing, playing with my 2 boys, playing softball, and just being outdoors.

What community activities are you involved in outside of the fire department?
I am an active member of my church and help coach my kids Little League team.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I am an old fashioned guy. Very humble to be where I am and where I came from. I served as an Infantryman in the NC National Guard for 8 years and was on active duty for 2 of those years, serving 1 year in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

What advice would you give someone interested in joining the fire service?
It takes time and dedication to do this job correctly. Be willing to study and learn the trade not only at training, but in your off time as well. Know and do your job, put pride in your self and the organization, and the rewards for that will be limitless.

Tell us about your family:
I have a beautiful wife of 9 years that has put up with me for 15 years. She is an elementary school teacher in this county and we have two beautiful boys, ages 4 and 6, that keep us going 24-7. We love to spend our weekends at the beach fishing. Kinston has always been our home.