Tyler Brungardt, ’10, recently received an award from the Hays City Commission for 15 years of dedicated service with the Hays Fire Department and shared his FHSU experience with us.
Tell us about yourself:
I’m 12 years married to my wife, Nicole. We’re raising three boys. We enjoy any time we can be together, whether fishing, camping, attending youth sports, watching FHSU athletics, or attending mass on the weekend.
What do you now do for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
I’ve been a City of Hays firefighter for 15 years, 14 years as a career firefighter, and one year as a volunteer firefighter. In 2014, I was promoted to my current rank of a Lieutenant.
Dad was a volunteer firefighter when I was growing up. I remember him going on calls, his pager tones, and a scanner he kept in the house. He introduced me to some members working at the FD. I started as a volunteer firefighter while attending FHSU. A position came open, and I began working for the FD while attending FHSU.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
I wanted to stay in Hays and the surrounding area since I grew up in the area. At the time, I knew I wanted to pursue the fire service while obtaining a college education. FHSU allowed me the flexibility to continue my education online when work and attending class became hard.
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
Be open minded to various career paths. Find things outside your comfort zone, learn from others, and be a humble servant.
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
FHSU has a large impact on the community I serve. I’ve had many great interactions with people on campus whether through work or community activities. FHSU provides a great educational opportunity in a great community. Events on campus provide family friendly atmospheres that impact upcoming generations.