Meet John Glesinger, Chairman at the Papillion Chapter of the First Responders Foundation (firstrespondersfoundation.org).

Tell us a little about your business. – The First Responders Foundation (FRF) was created to serve the individuals who are the first “helpers” to arrive on the scene in an emergency situation. The First Responder, at times, can become the 2nd victim. The injuries to the Responder can be physical in nature, and obvious. Other injuries may not be so obvious, such as those that affect a Responder’s mental health.

The FRF is willing to assist Responders in a variety of ways, although we place a focus on the mental health aspect.

How did you get started in the business? – In June of 2021, the Papillion fire chief contacted me about the need to form a Papillion Chapter of the First Responders Foundation. The chief suggested that they needed a prior Firefighter on the Board and asked if I would consider filling that role.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Regarding my role as a Board Member of the Papillion Chapter, I would say it has been to better understand the Mental Health component of a First Responder’s wellbeing. After attending meetings with the Foundation, attending seminars, classes and doing some research, I have a greater understanding and appreciation of its importance. Not only that, as I look back on my experience as a Firefighter/EMT, it seems that for many of the sick and injured public that we transported to the Hospital there was often an underlying mental or emotional component.

Tell us a little about your family. – My wife and I have 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls. They are all adults now. Other than an occasional part time job here and there my wife, Michaela, was a stay at home mother. She is the center of our household and she earned that position.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Becoming a father.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was first a volunteer Firefighter. I joined the Papillion Fire Department in 1983, they were volunteer at the time. That is where I discovered the Fire Service. I found it to be challenging, rewarding and it aligned with my values. It was the right work for me, and I wanted to do the work right. I also discovered that you could make a living being a career Firefighter, which I was ultimately able to do. Being a Firefighter should be so much more than a job. When done with honor, integrity, bravery, competence and compassion it becomes a vocation. I did what I could to make it my vocation. It was a privilege to assist people at their time of need while also meeting so many different people in doing so. For example, I might be under the 16th street bridge interacting with a homeless person and, later in the same day, be in an executive board room attending to a CEO experiencing chest pains.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – First Responders Foundation. When First Responders arrive at a scene, they loan their strength and abilities to others. I welcome the opportunity to return the goodwill and loan my time and efforts to them.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – jtglesinger@gmail.com.