A native of Fairborn, Routt said that he was always looking for ways to serve but didn’t quite find anything that fit the bill in his working life until he became a firefighter.
“I always knew that I took some sort of satisfaction in helping others. I would have to say my inspiration was my dad. He was a firefighter and passed away when I was 11. So, I’ve always tried to live my life and do things in such a way that would make him proud,” Routt said.
Routt said he initially worked retail to pay the bills but has been around the business of firefighting since 1998, first volunteering and then working part-time at Enon Fire/EMS Department. During his time with Enon, he also worked part-time for the City of Englewood Fire Department.
Eventually he decided to take the steps toward becoming a full-time firefighter and earned his EMT and Firefighter Level 1 and 2 certifications from Sinclair Community College and his Paramedic Certification from Clark State University.
In January 2005 Routt was hired full-time by the City of Fairborn Fire Department where he has taken on numerous duties including: driver operator of Q4 at Station No. 4 on Platoon 1, Operation Safety Net Coordinator, CPR instructor, and EMS continuing education instructor for the department.
He also served for five years as an acting lieutenant, which he explained is a job taken on by a number of the more experienced firefighters in the department. When the actual lieutenant takes time off or is sick, an acting lieutenant will “ride up” and take on their responsibilities.
“You ask anyone any one of the firefighters or paramedics in the city of Fairborn and they will tell you there is no amount of money that anyone can pay us that will replace the feeling of saving someone’s life. It’s just a very special, select few moments, where I have been fortunate enough to be working with a team that has received that award,” said Routt.
In addition to the Lifesaving Ribbons, Routt was also named Fairborn’s Fire Fighter of the Year for 2011.
Outside of his job, Routt says he enjoys spending a lot of time with his family and attending his daughter’s extracurricular or school events. He also volunteers within the community and through his church.
Routt currently resides in Fairborn with his wife Lynna and three daughters Marissa, Ryan and Emelyn.
When asked to talk about some the more memorable moments as a firefighter Routt didn’t have any one specific memory. He said that he really enjoys the times he gets to meet with the people he has helped, after the fact.
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