Focused firefighter

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Tim Griffin goes above and beyond the fire department’s call of duty with volunteer work and TV appearances

Tim Griffin is one Carmel firefighter that might look familiar to some people.

People sometimes stop him, “Where do I know you from? Did I see you on TV?”

In fact, they probably have. The 35-year-old firefighter from Station 41 previously co-hosted a local cooking show called “Survival Secrets: Firing Up Your Day.” He did so well that he was invited several times of Channel 8’s IndyStyle morning show to do a cooking demonstration or talk about fire safety. That went so well that he was asked to co-host the IndyStyle show one morning. And he was the 2009 champion for the Dancing with the Carmel Stars event.

His buddies at the fire station give him a hard time. A local TV crew films outside the station – for a story that has nothing to do with Griffin – and his coworkers joke, “There’s a camera, where’s Tim?”

But every time you ask Griffin about his work in the community, he inevitably changes the topic to some of his peers and mentors.

“There are so many guys who do so much and it isn’t always seen,” he said. “And I don’t do it to be seen either. I just want to help put a spotlight on all of the good things that the Carmel fire department does.”

When Griffin was student at Carmel High School, a car accident lead to his career choice. He was riding with some friends when a high-speed collision occurred.

While they were waiting for the first responders, Griffin decided to use some of the skills he learned as a lifeguard to check everyone’s pulse and breathing. He dragged people to safety from the vehicle. And while he said he’s doesn’t want to exaggerate his role in helping, it did start to turn some wheels in his head. What if the accident was more serious? Wouldn’t be it cool to be responsible for saving lives?

Griffin has been a firefighter for more than a decade now and he’s learned that the responsibility involved with the job goes beyond just responding to accidents.

“We have had questions before that, ‘If you’re a firefighter, are you held to a higher standard?’ and the answer is absolutely yes because people have to trust you in their moments of need,” he said. “That’s why so many guys coach soccer teams and raise money for charities. It comes with the job.”

When someone becomes part of a fire station family, every member has a chore during the 24-hour shifts. Griffin had family members who owned an Italian restaurant, so he became interested in cooking meals.

Sean Sutton, a longtime firefighter and co-owner of Holy Cow Cupcakes, was joking with Griffin that they should have a cooking show together. Turns out, former Fire Chief Doug Callahan, now a township trustee, had some money available through an educational grant so they produced a local show. To make it educational, they centered it on healthy living.

Griffin was even certified as a personal trainer so he can help keep his fellow firefighters in shape. Griffin used to also be involved with coaching Carmel schools wrestling teams for some time, so fitness is close to his heart.

“The leading cause of death for a firefighter is a heart attack,” he said. “We’re under a lot of stress and exposed to a lot of environmental factors, so if you can eat healthy and exercise, then that should help our guys. Back in the day, firefighters ate food that was fried and refried and fried again! But it really is different nowadays.”

Griffin’s favorite foods to cook include meat loaf, chili and candy-glazed ham. He’s altered some of his recipes to make it healthier, especially since Griffin himself has been diagnosed with ulcerated colitis, an auto-immune disease that affects the gastro-intestinal system. He’s also spent some time talking to kids who also suffer with this painful disease because it can be embarrassing to talk about.

It’s especially important for firefighters to be in shape because seconds can save lives. While an average person can take a few minutes to stretch before a workout, firefighters need to leave at the drop off the hat. No bathroom breaks and no hesitation.

Griffin has done some cooking demonstrations at the Carmel Farmers Market and his presence on the air has given him the opportunity to co-host a morning show.

“The day I was driving down to host, I said to myself, ‘What am I thinking? I’m a firefighter. I don’t know how to read a teleprompter or host a show.’” He said. “The whole time I was driving there with my arms up because I was sweating because I was so nervous, but it ended up going really well.”

Sometimes on the TV screen they don’t even call him by his full name, but he doesn’t mind. He’s just there to represent the department as a whole.

“I love that I get to go on as ‘Tim the Carmel Firefighter,’” he said. “I feel so proud to be representing Carmel and the fire department, so I like it when they call me that.”

About Tim Griffin

Age: 35

Birthplace: Indianapolis

High School: Graduated Carmel High School in 1998

College: IUPUI exercise science switched to fire science then got hired before I finished degree.

Favorite Food: Pizza

Favorite TV Show: He does spend a lot of his time watching kids shows with his daughters, but he does enjoy Game of Thrones

Favorite Sports: Wrestling and MMA

Church: Our Lady Of Mount Carmel (OLMC)


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