“10 Questions With…” is a weekly feature in The Courier-News in which reporter Rafael Guerrero interviews someone in the Elgin area we think you should know and finds out a little more about what makes them who they are.
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Jorge Ochoa
Age: 28
Hometown: West Chicago/Bartlett
Lives in: Elgin
Job: Firefighter/paramedic, Elgin Fire Department
Education: South Elgin High School graduate, two associate degrees
Family: Mom and sister
How did you end up as a firefighter?
After I got out of the Army, I went to college not really sure what I wanted to do for a living. I knew that working in an office or having a what you would call a regular 9-5 wasn’t for me.
I took a fire science class and was instantly hooked. The more I got into the field, the more appreciation I got for the job. This is one of the few careers where every single day you can have a huge impact in someone’s life. We are able to show up in what could be someone’s worst possible day and offer some relief.
What kinds of calls do you receive the most?
About 70% of the calls we respond to on a daily basis are medical calls. They can range anywhere for a person falling and they simply need help getting up, to breathing problems, chest pain, an accident with injuries. Elgin is so big and diverse with its population and geography that we run the gamut with calls.
What do people not know about your job?
There’s plenty that people might not be aware about our jobs.
A question we get a lot is who pays for your food when they see us in the grocery store. The answer is we do. People have the misconception that it is the city (that pays).
We also work 24-hour shifts. Besides fires, we have personnel who specialize in water rescues, hazardous materials, technical rescue and investigating fires. So while we are called a fire department, we do a lot more than deal with fires.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I didn’t have an interest in becoming a firefighter until I was in my 20s. As a kid I loved working on cars and wanted to become a mechanic. That is exactly what I did when I was in the Army. Now working on cars is more of a hobby.
Do you have any role models?
I would have to say that my biggest hero/role model is my mother. She was able to raise my sister and I by herself all while working full time. She was the one that taught me empathy for people, the one that gave me my strong worth ethic, and the one that taught me that education was incredibly important in order to get ahead. I’ve applied all of those lessons in life and they have never steered me wrong. I always hope that she can look back at me with pride.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
If I could have one super power it would be to talk to animals. I’ve always loved animals and having pets. I have a pit bull at home, and would be dying to know what she’s thinking.
Favorite food?
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My favorite food is sushi. I would be able to eat it every day for the rest of my life without a problem.
Is there a food that you hate?
There’s no food that I hate, I pretty much eat everything. However, I’m not a huge fan of organs. I’ve tried liver a couple times and I don’t see myself eating it again.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could have dinner with anyone it would be Sigmund Freud. A long-term goal for me is to also be a psychologist and he is the father of modern-day psychology. All of his theories fascinate me. I could have a conversation for hours on the human mind.
What TV show do you watch?
I’m not currently watching any shows. My favorite show of all time by far is “The Office.” I’ve watched the whole series through multiple times.