The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department played host for a visiting firefighter from Belgium on Tuesday evening October 9. Nathan Lefebvre, 25, began his firefighting career as a volunteer in Soignies, Belgium five years ago. He’s now a career firefighter in La Louvière, Belgium.
Nathan is a diving enthusiast and will be attending school in February to become a rescue diver.
In his first ever visit to the United States, Nathan visited New York City and was visiting friends in the Waldorf area when he paid a visit to the Waldorf VFD firehouse.
He explained that it takes two years of training to become a firefighter and he noted the fire apparatus in Belgium are shorter in length and height because they have to negotiate narrower streets and roads. He also noted that while the turnout gear firefighters wear are different than Belgium, the tools used by firefighters are essentially the same.
The Waldorf firehouse was dispatched to two calls during Nathan’s visit. The first was cancelled while the second put an engine on the road. He and Waldorf VFD Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Duer exchanged fire department shirts at the end of the visit.
Nathan returned to Belgium Wednesday.
