In October, Josh Cole had what he calls "a chance of a lifetime."

Lt. Cole, of the Augusta Regional Airport Fire Department, was selected to be a guest speaker at the International Aviation Fire Protection Association's 11th annual International European Conference in Warsaw, Poland.

He spoke to nearly 200 firefighters from countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom.

"It was a great experience because not only did I get to be a guest speaker, I also heard presentations from firefighters from other countries," he said. "I learned more about my job, the techniques used at other airports in the world, and ways to improve safety. I also made a lot of great contacts with officers from other countries."

Mr. Cole has been with the Augusta Regional Airport Fire Department for 10 years. Before coming to Augusta, the Virginia native was a firefighter on Kwajalein, an atoll in the Marshall Islands in the south Pacific.

His duties include conducting safety checks, assisting with aircraft emergencies, maintaining fire hydrants at the airport, conducting frequent inspections and, when necessary, acting as on-scene commander until the department chief arrives at the scene.

"It's never a dull day," he said. "That's one of the things I like about it. We're always busy."

He and his department also undergo frequent training to maintain certifications and to keep up with the latest in the field, he said.

"As an aviation firefighter, you face a different set of hazards than you would as a structural firefighter," he said. "There are large amounts of chemicals, fuels and various materials you have to be concerned about."

Providing a service brings him satisfaction, he said.

"I enjoy being able to provide good public service to the airport community," he said. "That's one of the reasons I got into this field, to do my part in making sure that the airport community is safe."