Since 2003, Captain Eric Naramore has continued his family legacy as a firefighter for the Jasper Fire Department
Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
“If my engine leaves the station, I’m on my engine. I don’t care where we’re going.”
For the last 20 years, Captain Eric Naramore of the Jasper Fire Department has dedicated his life to protecting the citizens of Jasper. Inspired by a long line of firefighters in his family, he portrays the same vigor and commitment to the job that his uncles, cousins, and grandparents modeled before him.
Growing up in Tutwiler, Alabama, Eric attended school in Oakman and moved to Jasper at age 17. After graduating, he continued his education at the University of North Alabama (UNA) in Florence, Alabama, with high hopes of pursuing a career in Criminal Justice.
But, as Eric put it, God had other plans.
The year was 2003, and Eric moved back home from college.
“My mom mentioned that the Jasper Fire Department was hiring. Until that point, I didn’t know just how deep firefighting ran in my family. But I was 23 at the time, and I thought it sounded cool,” Eric laughs.
He applied and was hired as a rookie before being sent to Fire College just down the road in Tuscaloosa. In 2004, he officially became a certified firefighter.
Ever since, Eric has created his own legacy and served the community he calls home.
“We see a lot of bad, but we also see a lot of good,” says Eric. “It’s worth it when you get to help save someone’s house, or their belongings – even their life.”
In 2021, he was promoted to lieutenant and soon got promoted again when the captain on his shift retired. He took the test, did the paperwork, and officially became captain in 2022.
Eric now oversees the day-to-day operations of 6-8 men and serves as commander on-call. One of the favorite parts of his job is visiting local schools throughout the month of October as part of Fire Prevention Month, interacting with children and educating them on fire safety.
When he looks back over his career, Eric is profoundly grateful for how God’s plan prevailed in his life. He is thankful for the opportunity to serve his community and carry on his family’s firefighting legacy with passion and dedication.
“I’m glad things worked out the way they did,” he says. “I love my job, every aspect of it.” WL
