Photo By Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton | Pfc. Eric Dolan raises his hands before a bout in the Octagon fighting arena during...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - A Marine who graduates Sept. 1 has stood up to trials by fire long before he enlisted in the Corps.
Pfc. Eric Dolan saved lives while serving as a volunteer firefighter in Burtonsville, Md., from 2008-2011.
“Firefighting was my dream job ever since I was a kid,” Dolan said. “Firefighting was exciting but I wanted to do more for my country.”
The 21-year-old Marine sought the life of an infantryman to save lives on a different front.
“Eric is the type of guy who always wants to better himself,” Marina Jenkins, his fiancée, explained. “He feels much better when he is helping others.”
During his two-and-a-half years as a firefighter, Dolan saved the life of a man with CPR in a helicopter flight to the hospital.
“Eric's firehouse got a call for a car wreck,” said Jenkins about the event. “Eric was performing CPR for a man who was holding on to life. Eric brought him back long enough to get him to a hospital.”
This account of the incident was verified by Lt. Tammi Bulla, president of Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department.
His instincts under pressure make him ideal for the Marine Corps, Bulla said.
“He’s going to be an excellent Marine,” she said. “He has natural leadership and he’s fearless. We didn’t want to lose him, but he was very eager to begin with his career with you guys.”
Dolan held the rank of Firefighter 2, which Bulla said is comparable to corporal. He held certifications as an emergency medical technician, hazardous material operator and an emergency vehical operator.
“For a young guy he knocked out a lot of training,” Bulla said.
More importantly, he was well respected by his peers and an important member of the team.
“That’s critical in our line of work, because you’re relying on someone to back you up” Bulla said. “All the guys knew they could count on him.”
Dolan, with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, joined in part for the pride one can only get from service as a Marine.
“The first fire I was in, the neighbor came up to me and thanked me for what I do,” Dolan said. “That’s when I decided I wanted to join.”
Dolan also joined for the adrenaline rush of the fight, he said.
“I was 18 years old when I became a firefighter,” he said. “I joined the Marines for the same reason I became I firefighter – for the rush of helping people.”
Dolan aspires to be the best Marine he can.
“He sets his goals high and works very hard to achieve all of them,” Jenkins said. “Being a firefighter helped him see his potential.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2011 15:23 |
| Story ID: | 76316 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 3,863 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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