On the day scheduled for the interview with Media Fire Department Chief Ed Gibson III, the sky was filled with unusual looking clouds — puffy and rimmed with black, looking soot-covered. Hurricane Ike was moving towards the gulf region around Texas and weather was on his mind. Gibson was on the phone in the small office just inside the firehouse. He was talking about the winds, which were moving in two directions at once, and told a colleague he’d be keeping an eye on conditions.

“Winds, probably more than any other conditions, affect how we respond and fight fires. A sustained high wind means fires burn more intensely. They also take down trees and power lines,” Gibson said when the interview started, explaining his interest in the cloud movement.

 For those who know Ed Gibson, this is hardly a surprise. It would appear the Media Fire Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 (more easily called the MFD) and everything connected to it are what might be called “top of mind” for Gibson.

The only way he agreed to an interview was the promise he’d have ample opportunity to talk about the department, its members and place in the community.

A mini-biography was forthcoming, however. Gibson, 45, is a lifelong Media resident. He graduated from Penncrest High School in 1980 and joined the MFD in 1978 at 16 as a junior firefighter. For six years he was a firefighter in the Delaware Air National Guard.

Gibson attended Delaware County Community College and works as a paramedic out of Riddle Hospital. Between the two jobs, Gibson spends nearly all of his time in service to the public.

“On the job, there are definitely bad days and days when it’s great,” Gibson said. “I’d never delivered any babies until three years ago; then I delivered three in 18 months. Those are the best calls you can have.”

The fire department, specifically Media, has been part of Gibson’s entire life.

“My grandfather and his two brothers served with this department; my father and his brother; my brother John is the deputy chief again. My nephew is a junior member. And my son will join as a junior member when he turns 16 next month,” said Gibson.

Gibson is in his eleventh year as chief, seven during his first “tour” and into the fourth year this time. But just as he was given the option of dedicating significant time to the department, Gibson said he never pressured his son, Chris.

“He came to me and asked for the application,” he said with no small degree of pride.

“Sharon Gibson is “a very supportive wife,” when it comes to the MFD. But not to be left in the dust, she “runs” with the prestigious Springfield Ambulance Corps which is tradition for her side of the family.

Media is in the overwhelming majority of all Delaware County fire departments in its volunteer status. Recruitment and retention are major issues and always on the minds of those involved.

“I can remember a time when there were 100 members and 60 to 70 were active. We had enough personnel to get out every truck,” said Gibson.

Now the numbers are a bit less than half, and that reflects a statewide trend. In 1976 there were 300,000 volunteers in about 3,000 departments; in 2005 the numbers changed to 76,000 volunteers in 2,300 companies.

Gibson said in addition to active fires the department responds to calls on traffic accidents, hazardous material releases, downed wires, pumping out flooded basements and assisting other companies. Calls have increased this year, yet “manpower” is down. As chief, his job is that of incident commander.

“I’m responsible for the safety of my personnel. No building is worth the life of a firefighter,” he said with grave conviction.

To that point, his experience becomes invaluable.

“A lot has changed in the years I’ve been active. The equipment has gotten better and safer,” Gibson said, mentioning the apparatus and such ancillary devices as air-packs. “The thermal imaging equipment is about the best thing that has happened in firefighting. It helps us find people but also hidden fires, which makes it safer for firefighters and helps limit damage. The weak link is the human factor — people overextending themselves. It’s up to the incident commander to constantly evaluate the situation — the building and how the guys are doing.”

The MFD members train once a week, but it takes 160 hours of training to qualify. Gibson said the amount of training and changes in Media’s demographics account, in part, for the reduced numbers of volunteers. Gibson said the commitment must be there because “the fire service takes more than it gives.”

“I don’t know what motivates people to volunteer, but I know it’s rare to see someone come in who has nothing to do with other emergency services. Somewhere, someone down the line in a family has usually been involved. We’re looking for someone who is willing to learn, to work hard and has a sense of community.”

Having a good head for numbers or a business skill also qualifies anyone who wants to give volunteer time to the MFD.

And, of course, there is money. Gibson said the borough is very supportive when it comes to funding major apparatus, but a great number of items used on the ambulance side are disposable and need to be replaced regularly. He subtly put in a plug for the current fund drive, and would like to see the community respond with donations.

Some day — Gibson thinks in the not-so-distant-future — the all-volunteer fire departments will cease to exist. Many already have at least one paid driver to ensure getting out fire or rescue apparatus. Despite that inevitability, it’s likely the Gibsons will still be represented. At 69, Ed Gibson Jr. still answers calls and can be seen behind the wheel of a fire truck.

“I still see myself here, too,” said Ed Gibson III. “I am intensely, massively proud of our firefighters. They work really hard and do a great job. It’s an honor to lead them.”