Volunteer Highlight - Corey Gant

As a firefighter, Corey Gant knows firsthand the importance of being prepared. Originally from Louisville, KY, Corey moved to Owensboro for college. He joined the Owensboro Fire Department after he graduated and is the Battalion Chief of Training for the fire department. He joined the Red Cross around 2016 and is on our Western Kentucky Chapter board.

Giving back to his community is what made Corey decide to volunteer: “I was still just a firefighter at the time, and I was kind of looking for a way to get involved with a group. At the time the executive director asked the fire department to be a part of the Red Cross board here in Western Kentucky. I was asked to fill that role for the fire department, and that’s really how it started.”

During his tenure with the Red Cross, Corey has been both vice chair and chair of the Western Kentucky Chapter board. He helped Misty Thomas, our Western Kentucky Chapter executive director, get up to speed on the board when she joined the Red Cross. His biggest role, however, is volunteering with the Home Fire Campaign. The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, and by educating people about home fire safety.

“It's hard to not see the importance in it,” said Corey. “I’ve volunteered for several of the home fire campaign events.” The Owensboro Fire Department also partners with the Red Cross to install smoke alarms in homes that need them in the city of Owensboro. Corey tries to help in other areas when he can, including helping with blood drives and by being a blood donor himself. 

For Corey, the most interesting part of volunteering is getting to go out and serve his community. 

“It's kind of what we do in the fire service, and on a different scale,” said Corey. “It’s hard for me to be part of the recovery side because it's what I do [with the fire department]. I’m usually responding. I try to help out on the preparedness side, get out and meet people and make sure they understand the importance of being prepared and what they need to handle house fires or natural disasters.”

Corey encourages others to volunteer because getting out there and supporting an organization like the Red Cross helps the people around us and helps build up the community.

“Even if you can't go give your time, there are other things that you can do to help support the Red Cross and help support others that go through catastrophes,” said Corey. “It’s good for the soul, but it's also good for the community. You’re helping people in a way that not everybody can.”

Outside of volunteering, Corey enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, who will turn two years old in June. They visit Louisville as often as they can, and enjoy going to Nashville, traveling, and attending hockey games.

Thank you, Corey, for all you do!