After 26 years of service to the Portage Fire Department, firefighter Division Chief Ron Zuilkowski proves that he is a Portage Life in the Spotlight through the leadership and courage he shows in his field.
The position of Division Chief has been around for only two years, but when it was created, Zuilkowski's name topped the list of candidates. His rank is below only the assistant chief and chief.
"This is as high as I've been and probably as high as I'll ever go," Zuilkowski said. "I'm very comfortable where I'm at right now. I like to be with the men. I don't really want to lose that cohesiveness I have with the men. I like that."
It was in high school that Zuilkowski first found his life's calling. When a fire chief came to a high school career day to talk about what he did, Zuilkowski began applying right away. At the time, it was very difficult for someone like Zuilkowski, who had no prior affiliation with any fireman, to become a firefighter.
"You got put in a position to have a job with that much pride that the public really looked at as, 'Wow, that's an awesome job,' they weren't going to give that to anybody," Zuilkowski said.
Thankfully, he was neighbors with then-Clerk Treasurer Doug Olsen, who helped him talk then-Mayor Sammie Maletta that Zuilkowski deserved a chance to show he was firefighter material.
"They were gracious enough to give me a chance, and I can't thank them enough," Zuilkowski said. "It's been spectacular for me, great for my family. Great for my kids – they grew up in the fire department."
Zuilkowski has two children. Jonathon Zuilkowski, 29, lives in Lafayette with his wife and daughter and works as Vice President of Renewable Fuels. Natalie Reisen, 24, moved to Valpo with husband and local musician Dan Reisen, where she works as Director of Marketing at Rittenhouse of Valpo.
When they were younger, the two would follow their father to the firehouse, eating meals with the other men or assisting with charity events. The children put in hard work alongside the firefighters.
"To this day, that's the way that they are wired, and for that I'm grateful, because they learned there's a lot more you can do with your time and talent," Zuilkowski said. "You don't waste it. You're fortunate enough to be healthy. Utilize it."
Portage Fire Department has heeded those words over the years, dedicating their time to Fill the Boot for muscular dystrophy and fixing up local houses with Rebuilding America. Zuilkowski has worked hard to beat fundraising records and make sure everyone who needs help has received it.
Now, almost three decades later, the dedication has paid off. As Division Chief, Zuilkowski works as a leader, acting on behalf of both the officers, who consist of a captain and two lieutenants, and the 18 other men on shift. He is in charge of scheduling, running command on major accidents and fires, paperwork and communicating between the job levels of the other firefighters.
"We're that stop gap to be able to resolve those issues and things don't escalate," Zuilkowski said. "I could actually be able to take things up to the chief's office, where the officers before, it always seemed like there was a gap in there between.... [This position] made a nice divide in there now, which seems to be working really well."
Although he is higher up in command now, Zuilkowski's position still keeps him working as he did before. Like normal firefighters, he works a 24-hour shift and then gets the next 48 hours off. He still runs calls and directs the fire engines and ambulances.
Sometimes, even though the devastation caused by fires, people are still grateful toward Zuilkowski and his men.
"Those are the things that I'm thankful for now, that in the past I didn't really realize, and now that I'm older I've realized those things a little more," Zuilkowski said. "Probably because I can stand back and look at it. I'm not involved so much with it. I'm there in charge, so I can look at it a little bit differently now. I have time to absorb it, so I feel good about those things, helping people out."
Although Zuilkowski, as a Division Chief, no longer goes into the fires, but he believes his communication with those who do is greater than ever before. Now, he has more freedom to travel between the Portage fire stations.
"It was hard to communicate with them unless I drove over there with the engine crew that I was with," Zuilkowski said. "This is more convenient. I have a car. I can go over there, and I can stay with them all day or spend the night there. [I can] deal with more personnel issues, which is good."
Zuilkowski's role has become especially important in this aspect, as personal issues are becoming a more seriously discussed matter in firehouses. Oftentimes, the harsh situations encountered by firefighters lead them to drugs, alcohol or divorce.
"You can play it off as tough, you know, you're wearing your gear and all that, but inside we're all the same," Zuilkowski said. "You've got those same feelings and you need to talk about it and be open about it."
According to Zuilkowski, firefighters often hide their emotions, but now the older men are beginning to show the rookies that it is okay to open up to their coworkers.
"I think it helps them because they realize that if they can see us talk about it, guys that've had 20 years on or [more], that we made it through," Zuilkowski said. "They realize after hearing these stories that it's a good thing talk about and not keep it in."
Unfortunately for Zuilkowski, he had to find this out the hard way.
In 1998, a Southshore train collided into a truck that was sitting on a track, and Zuilkowski was one of the first to arrive on the scene. The destruction, he said, was terrible and left him scarred for life. He went into shock, recalling that he ended up driving down Willowcreek Road hours after the accident with no recollection of how he had made it there.
"I saw a lot of devastating this on that train that affected me that day and for hours after that," Zuilkowski said. "I probably should've talked to somebody. I thought if I talked about it, I was weak. Like, 'That's why I'm supposed to be doing this job. I'm the one to be counted on.' But in reality, those are real feelings that you have, and if you don't have those feelings, you're probably in the wrong line of work. And after that, you start to realize that you're not that strong. You do need help, too, so that you can continue to help others."
When calls do not go so well, Zuilkowski likes to talk with his wife, who is an oncology nurse. Zuilkowski says his wife's career helps her understand the overwhelming situations that sometimes arise in his line of work.
"I can open up to her and she understands what I'm talking about," Zuilkowski said.
The past few years, he has also found a home with GracePoint Church.
"It's been good for me. [Pastor Ben Lamb]'s good for me. The people are good there. They listen, they understand," Zuilkowski said. "I've had a lot of bad things happen to me since then, and I'm glad that they were there for me."
GracePoint focuses on combining the teachings of the Bible with the issues of today.
While Zuilkowski was raised Catholic, he realized he did not prefer this traditional denomination. His initial visits to GracePoint were caused by his daughter, who regularly attended the Valparaiso church with her husband. At, the time Zuilkowski wanted to make sure GracePoint was a good church for his daughter's family, but soon he found himself enjoying it beyond his paternal expectations.
"I always joke with them, 'Oh I drank the grape juice,'" Zuilkowski said.
Through GracePoint, Zuilkowski has been brought back to the belief to the belief that everything happens for a reason. It also gives him the chance to share his wisdom with the other churchgoers, who are mostly young adults.
"I kind of like it that I'm with my daughter there and I'm with different people from different aspects of life. A lot of them young, inexperienced people there, and I like to talk to them, too, about things I've seen and things I've done," Zuilkowski said. "I feel good about that. All the things I've learned then aren't wasted."
GracePoint has reminded Zuilkowski to be more open with the other firefighters. Even though he is always willing to help others, he sometimes has a difficult time asking for the help he needs.
"I think it's helped me in that way, to be more open with the guys," Zuilkowski said. "I put the badge aside and I rely on them as a friend."
Along with confiding in them, Zuilkowski has tried his best to stand up for the firefighters of the Portage Fire Department. It is thanks to him that the firefighters were able to form a union.
Before, their pay and benefits would change every time a new group of politicians took office, but Zuilkowski got the payment changed to a set contract.
"I wanted that stuff set in stone," Zuilkowski said. "It's not that we wanted to kick doors down and say, 'We demand this stuff.' We wanted stability."
The fire department was the first group of city employees to create this system, followed soon by the police and street departments.
"I've got to say that it's probably the best it's ever been for us, right now," Zuilkowski said.
Although there have been problems along the way, Zuilkowski is able to live a stable, happy life thanks to his career.
"I can't thank my family enough, because they've always been supportive, especially my wife. We've been married 32 years, have 2 great healthy kids, and now grandkids and I'm blessed," Zuilkowski said. "I still have a great career. I've had 26 years and I love it. The city of Portage has always been great to me."