MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A firefighter for 13 years, a lieutenant for 10, and a captain for just under a year, Meridian Township's Derek Burcham has been an asset to the fire department for over 23 years.

“A day in a firefighter, we do a shift change at 7 a.m. so that means the off-going shift leaves at 7, we come in at 7. The first thing we do is come out into the engine room, check all of our equipment. Checking over the engine, that gets done every day," Meridian Township Fire Dept. Capt. Derek Burcham said.

Burcham began his career with Meridian Township as a firefighter in October of 1992. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2005, and to Captain last May.

"My position is I'm heavy into the technical rescue- the hazmat. Right now I’m putting together, again I was gonna say a wish list for our rope rescue equipment, so that includes going through catalogs, finding the best prices, talking to other departments, making sure that we’re buying the same thing that everybody else in the area is using," Burcham said.

“I think that he’s very progressive. He’s got a great attitude. He’s very helpful with the subordinates. Always to work on time, he’s a hard worker, he leads by example," Meridian Township Fire Chief Fred Cowper said.

Not only is Burcham an example on duty, but he's also an example in his own home.

“I have a 15 year old girl, a 14 year old boy, a 10 year old girl and a 6 year old girl. Some days they really like it and think I’m the hero, and some days they really don’t like it," Burcham said.

In addition to his full time jobs as a Fire Capt. and dad, Burcham is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and attending the National Fire Academy where he applied for the Managing Officer Program.

"It’s a good career, it’s a rewarding career. I’ve got, I’m in my last 5 years or so," Burcham said.

But for now, he's here for when duty calls.