A photo of the firefighters' raising the American flag over ground zero is a fixture in the Richmond Hill Road firehouse kitchen. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

In the months after Sept. 11, local firehouses were frequented by visitors who wanted to express gratitude to the firefighters.

"It's sad that it took something like that for people to recognize what we do," said Sgt. Kenneth Jackson of Engine 3 on Reynolds Street, echoing the sentiments of other firefighters in the area.

"That one person coming up to you just makes your day," he said.

Although they appreciate the recognition, that's not the reason firefighters give for loving their job.

"If people got in it for credit and all that, then nobody would be in it," firefighter Kelsey Beasley said. He joined the department in November, less than two months after the attacks.

Though he applied for the position a year before, he said, the tragic events had an impact on his decision to join the department.

"It made me take the job more seriously once I got it, because you can die." he said. "You know, people run out of fires, and we run into them. It just made me ... study, stay in shape and make it home to my wife and my boys. That's what Sept. 11 did for me."

Station Captain Sam Partin said the events made the entire department take a closer look at their jobs and how to improve what they do.

"It increased awareness of potential problems," he said. "On a personal standpoint, every time a plane goes by, I stop and take a look."

But the secret to a successful firefighter is not to dwell on the dangers, even after witnessing the circumstances that the New York fire department worked in after Sept. 11.

"I can't worry about that," Mr. Beasley said. "If I worried about that, then I'd have to find something else to do. If everybody worried about that, then the world would be on fire."

Instead, firefighters focus on getting the job done.

"I'm there to serve the public in whatever capacity my superiors see fit," Mr. Beasley said. "It's not for me to argue or question that. It may not be in that book in my job description, but when I signed on I took an oath to the citizens and that's what I'm going to do."

For many, protecting the public under the fire department's oath is an honor and a calling.

James Jester, a new addition to Engine Company 6 on Richmond Hill Road, said it is a childhood dream come true.

Firefighter James Jester mops a bay at the Engine Company 6 firehouse. Mr. Jester, who had worked as a volunteer firefighter, joined the department after Sept. 11. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

"It's one of those dreams you have that you think will never be realized," he said.

"I started volunteering when I was 18 - you kind of get hooked on it," he said. "I wouldn't say Sept. 11 made me want it any more, because I think I wanted it about as much as any person could. I wish I could have been a part of it before that.

"Sept. 11 or not, I was going to be here if they were going to let me be here. It's like the greatest thing I think I could do."

Firefighter Shawn Chilton said that public service is something that gets into your blood. He served in the Army for several years before starting work for the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department in March.

"Sept. 11 made me appreciate the job more," he said. "But the desire to serve was always there. I'm just lucky enough to get to do this job.

"I'm still serving the public, whether on a global scale or a local scale."

Reach Lisa M. Lohr at (706) 823-3332 or lisalohr@augustachronicle.com.