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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFirefighting is the Locker way of life, and Carson found himself drawn to his father\u2019s and grandfather\u2019s stories about the fires they responded to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just thought it was the most interesting thing ever,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But these were more than stories and boyhood dreams; they were his role models and heroes. Today, Carson takes his father’s support and the lifetime of knowledge he’s shared with him into every fire and emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always wanted to be like my grandfather and father. They were my biggest inspirations. I look up to them more than they will ever understand,\u201d Carson shared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carson longed for the day he would finally suit up, step into the truck, and race to the scene. His father always met his pleadings to take him on calls with the same response: \u201cWhen you get 18, you can come with me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every young person anticipates turning 18. For most, high school graduation looms, along with choices about college and adulthood, but Carson planned his future much earlier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFrom the start of [my] freshman year, I set my goal to graduate early and start my career fast. As soon as I turned 18 at the end of October, I put in an application at Fayetteville Fire Rescue as well as Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Department,\u201d Carson said. \u201cI started volunteering two days after my birthday and got to ride with my father in the fire truck to my first fire the very next day. I started at Fayetteville Fire Rescue as a full-time firefighter in February of the next year, before I even walked the stage at graduation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The little boy who loved the sight of the fire engine racing in and out of traffic, sirens blaring, is now the young man inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s completely different than just seeing the truck going down the road compared to being in it dressed in turnout gear and ready to go. There\u2019s no greater feeling than being in that truck,\u201d Carson said. \u201cI work with some of the best people I could ever ask for. I\u2018d always heard your crew is your family, but you never understand that until you are with them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of his family\u2019s commitment to firefighting, what he understands about his work is much older than his hands-on training and personal experience. He knows that fires are even more dangerous today due to the hazards of flammables inside, and things burn hotter and more quickly than decades ago. Thankfully, gear, tools, trucks, and training also continue to advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut, as they always say, sometimes the old way works best,\u201d Carson acknowledged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carson\u2019s father said, \u201cThings have changed a lot since we did it, but he\u2019s adapting very well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Something that never changed is Carson\u2019s fierce determination to follow in their footsteps as a career firefighter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He said, \u201cThis career choice is everything and more than I could ever dream of. After hearing my grandfather and father\u2019s stories, I knew I wanted to make memories like that and be able to pass them along as they did. It\u2019s been so great to finally run out that door with my father and help someone on their worst day. It\u2019s truly a blessing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carson and his father can now swap stories as members of the same team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ken said, \u201cI’m very proud of him for choosing the profession my father and I took. I hope he continues with it, as I know he will.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll in all, I chose the right career for me; I always knew this was for me,\u201d Carson declared. \u201cEver since my grandfather\u2019s passing, everything I do is for him, and I know he\u2019s proud of everything I\u2019m doing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, another call follows Carson\u2019s return to the station after a dispatch \u2014 to his girlfriend, Savannah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe is always my first call after a fire. I know she worries whenever I’m on a call, so I do my best to calm her whenever it’s over. She\u2019s been there for me in stressful times, worried times, and happy times. She has never left my side, and no matter what, she\u2019s always so supportive.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n With the support of Savannah and his family, Carson suits up in turnout gear, knowing he\u2019s not just following in his family’s footsteps; he\u2019s answering a call that had been waiting for him all along. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The dance floor was full at the Palace of Riverbend as Carson Locker and Savannah Hardiman attempted to capture the memories of a lifetime. Twinkling fairy lights and cell phone flashes cast a unique glow over Savannah\u2019s sequined aqua gown, contrasting sharply with Carson\u2019s light khaki sports coat and jeans. Despite the crowd, they were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/01\/2-1-1024x683.png\")
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