Cadet to Capitol Fire: Country’s Early AFD Days

In this episode, Country looks back at his start with the Austin Fire Department. After a grueling 6-month cadet training program, Country stepped into a chapter that would shape the next 30 years of his life.He shares stories from inside the academy, the lessons that hit hardest, and the memory of one of his first fires with the Austin Fire Department. For Country, that call was no ordinary blaze — it was the Texas State Capitol. Brought to the scene by fellow firefighter James “Jim” Boynton this early experience set the tone for everything that followed.From the nerves of rookie days to the spark that ignited a three-decade career, this episode captures the beginning of a legacy.