South County Profile: Kirk Chaney

KIRK CHANEY

Kirk Chaney moved to Shasta County with his wife and children in 2002 from San Luis Obispo for a job opportunity with Blue Star Gas and Associates.

He is the company's regional operations manager for California and Oregon. Chaney has been in the propane gas field for the past 14 years. He started at the bottom of the company and worked his way up to regional management.

In his off time, Chaney is also a volunteer firefighter for the Cottonwood Fire Protection District.

He has been a volunteer for the past seven years. Chaney is also an LPG Fire School Instructor for the Western Propane Gas Association.

Besides working his day job, Chaney puts in 10 to 20 hours a week at the fire department going on calls and participating in training with his fellow firefighters, depending on the time of year.

During the fire storm of 2008, Chaney went out on the Deer Lick Fire, Platina Fire and the Coleman 1 and 2 fires, spending many days out on the fire lines.

For the past three years, Chaney has been the president of the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association. Chaney has been able to incorporate the Volunteer Company Status and worked to increase funding for the 2008 year by 200 percent in the two years since its incorporation.

This year, Chaney is planning to step down as president of the association and let some of the newer firefighters take his place, providing fresh ideas and a new outlook. He looks forward to being able to mentor them.

As any firefighter knows, fire protection is a 24-hours a day, seven days a week job. Chaney finds that this is his passion.

"Being a fire fighter, you see things that most people don't see and it helps define life. It helps you to appreciate life a bit more," said Chaney.

Chaney enjoys being involved in the community and knowing that he is able to help people. He has made many life long friendships with in the department and enjoys the camaraderie with his fellow firefighters.

"Working in the fire service, you develop a tight bond with the people you work with. After a call, sometimes we sit down and discuss what has happened and helped each other deal with the out come of what happened on scene," said Chaney.

Chaney plans on staying in the fire service for as long as he is physically able to do so.

His family is very supportive of his dedication to being a volunteer. Chaney's son Jake plans to become a volunteer as soon as he is old enough to do so.

Chaney enjoys spending time with his family doing many things. He and his wife Kendra have three children, Christine, Samantha and Jake.

Chaney is a 1992 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School, near San Louis Obispo.

Name: Kirk Chaney.

Born where and when: Salinas, 1973.

Occupation: Regional Manager for Blue Star Gas and Associates.

Marital Status: Married to wife Kendra.

Family: My wife Kendra, daughters Christine, Samantha and Jake.

Pets: A dog named Skip and two cats named Mo and Rose.

My worst job: Landscaping in high school.

My first job: Grocery Bagger at Von's Market.

In my spare time I: Volunteer with the Cottonwood Fire Protection District, ride motorcycles, Liquid Propane Gas Fire Instructor for the Western Propane Gas Association.

My favorite book: Nuts, the Southwest Airlines Story.

My favorite movie: Top Gun.

My favorite recording artist: Eric Clapton.

My dream car: 1968 Camaro.

My friends like me because: I'm always there to give honest advice (whether they want it or not.)

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Lots of food and water, a motorcycle, and no M.R.E's (Meals Ready to Eat).

The one thing in life I've learned is: Lead by example.

The best advice my parents gave me: Work hard and play hard.

My most embarrassing moment: Filling out this form.

My most irrational act: Leaving my job in the grocery business for the propane industry.

My most valued material possession: My home.

What I like best about the North State: The mountains, lakes and low traffic levels.

My hero is: My dad Steve.

My pet peeve is: People that procrastinate.

My fantasy is: I'm living it.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Be more physically fit.

The one thing about Shasta County needs most is: A more diversified job industry.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Watching my kids grow up.

<B>Kirk Chaney</B>

Regional Operations Manager of Blue Star Gas and Associates and Volunteer Fire Fighter at Cottonwood Fire Protection District.

By Tracye Dethero, Contributing Writer.