In addition, Cone served as an instructor at the Georgia Fire Academy and taught CPR and first responder classes.

Cone has had several scary experiences as a firefighter. He recalls one at local business that was named Union Camp.

“When we arrived on the scene, the fire was so big, it was going across the road,” Cone said. “People were running out and saying the place was going to explode.”

Cone said he was particularly weary of the fire because his father had gotten severely burned at the same place years earlier.

“Fortunately, we were able to cool it down and prevent it from exploding, but the experience was quite frightening.”

Cone has never had a near-death experience as a firefighter. He said he always felt like he knew what to do to get himself out of each circumstance he faced.

“I have been in some very hairy situations, but none that I felt I could not make it out of.”

He admits that the hardest part his job was dealing with the loss of a life.

“I know that people will die, but the toughest deaths I faced were those of children or young people. I have responded to fires where I have seen children burned and killed. You never really get over those.”

Considering Cone rode on the rescue/extrication truck for many years during his career, he commonly dealt with death on the job.

“I have seen more death than I want to see.”

Nonetheless, he admits that he has seen several good things.

“I delivered a few babies while riding on the rescue truck,” Cone said. “Helping someone bring a life into the world was a precious experience.”

Although life as a firefighter had its share of fright, Cone feels he has had some of his funniest times at the fire department.

“On our off time, we were always playing pranks on each other and joking with fellow firefighters.”