THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220169
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 Questions
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
A.G. ``Birdee'' Barrett is looking forward to Christmas with his 16-year-old son and his daughter, who's nearly 13. Being a parent is one of the most important things in Barrett's life. A single, custodial father, he's devoted to the two teenagers.
He's just as devoted to his job at the Suffolk Fire Department.
Barrett, 33, became a firefighter shortly after graduating from Suffolk High School. He was a member of an engine company until about a year and a half ago, when he became a fire investigator/inspector.
Now, when the tone sounds, he often misses jumping onto the truck and going to the scene. But if the crews are shorthanded, he occasionally helps out.
After the fire is extinquished, Barrett goes to work, assisting Fire Marshal H.R. Parker in determining what caused the blaze. He also does inspections, installs fire alarms and smoke detectors and answers complaints.
This fall, the Suffolk native graduated from the State Police Academy's Fire Marshal School in Richmond, earning the degree of Fire Marshal.
When he's not on duty at the fire department, he's probably either hanging around at the station or working at his second job. He promotes nonprofit organizations through his part-time business, Birdee Productions.
``Trying to be a father, go to college to get my associate's degree in fire science, work here at the station and run my part-time business - it ain't easy,'' Barrett said.
Birthdate/hometown: April 17, 1962, Suffolk.
Fondest childhood memory: Skating down Bozo Hill (the S curve on Oakdale Terrace, near downtown Suffolk). We'd come from Williams Town - the Bute Street area - all the way over here to skate. We didn't have skateboards or roller blades then, just the old Christmas, steel skates. Everyone wanted skates for Christmas. If you skated down Bozo Hill, you could skate.
Marital status/children: Single/two.
First job: Suffolk Fire Department. I came out of high school and went to the firefighter's academy as a free agent, not someone paid to go. When I finished the academy, Chief (Sammy) Carter gave me a job.
Occupation: Fire investigator/inspector. I transferred here from an engine company - or ``off the floor'' as we call it, about a year and a half ago.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? Child support enforcement officer.
What's your favorite hangout? Fire departments, even when I'm off. I just hang out and let my hair down and not worry about going on any calls. Sometimes we hang around in the lobby, or I try to learn how to use the computer, or I try to get prepared for the next day.
Favorite night out on the town: Sunday. I'll go somewhere like the Elks Lodge and listen to the DJ and critique him. Or go to the movies.
Favorite food/drink: Snacks - Crunch-n-Munch and Slush/Icee.
Favorite movies/TV show: ``In the Heat of the Night.''
Book you wish everyone would read: ``Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now'' by Maya Angelou.
Ideal vacation: Most of the time when I take a vacation, I end up going to school.
I can't resist: Fighting fire.
Few people know that I: Have a name other than Birdee.
Basically, I was a DJ, and I had a van with Birdee Productions on the side. I came out of high school and started DJing on the street. I was working at the Fire Department one day and DJing the next day.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? Buy a better home and a black 560 Mercedes coupe.
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? ``Can't be all things to all people.'' Anonymous.
What's the best thing about yourself? Energetic and enthusiastic male.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? There's nobody I see that I want to be. You can make yourself be what you want to be.
What achievements are you most proud of? Attended the State Police Academy and received the Fire Marshal degree.
Something you wish to say but haven't: My motto: ``The hardest road is over for some, but the journey has just begun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB