Eudora firefighter of the Year Gary Klotz was nominated by his fellow firefighters for the award.

As Gary Klotz talks about his life, he does it in an understated manner that would lead you to believe he is doing something that everyone does.

While most people work at least 40 hours a week, this husband and father of three girls still finds time to be a volunteer firefighter for the Eudora Fire Department.

His peers in the department – which consist of one full-time employee and 25 paid-per-call volunteers – think that he is far from average and have chosen him as the Eudora Firefighter of the Year.

Klotz, who has lived in Eudora for about 20 years, works as an insurance agent in Leavenworth. He moved to Eudora shortly after graduating from Kansas University and taking a job at a bank near the firehouse. But he didn’t become a firefighter until 2003.

“It was always something I’d thought about,” he said. “I worked for years right across the street at Mutual Savings, and then I got to know Ron Long – our kids were in preschool together – and he was in the fire department. He told me there was a recruit class coming up and asked if I was interested, and I definitely was.”

One might imagine that after a long day at work, the last thing Klotz would want to do is wake up in the middle of the night and put out a fire. But he seems to relish the opportunity to give back to the community.

Eudora Fire Chief Randy Ates said Klotz’s demeanor is one of the things that makes him such an asset to the department.

“He’s always got a smile, and he’s always happy to help any way he can, whether it’s at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m.,” Ates said. “He’s been with us for a long time now, and he’s just a great leader.”

Klotz’s willingness to find ways to strengthen the department also garnered praise.

“The reason that Gary got this award is for all the behind the scenes stuff he’s done for us,” Ates said.

For instance, Klotz wrote a grant this year that earned $500 for the department.

“There was a Wal-Mart grant that was available, and I basically did the legwork writing that grant, and that one came through,” he said. “It was a small grant, but every little bit helps.”

Klotz gave “every little bit” to earn the award, but he says that all credit is due to the Eudora Fire Department at large.

“It’s a real team effort,” he said. “Nobody really can do as much on their own.”