Jon Daly has spent his whole life in Valparaiso. It’s where he grew up, and he graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1992. From watching NBC’s old television show “Emergency!” to serving the city in the role of assistant fire chief, his hometown is where he fleshed out his vision for his career path.
The dream of becoming a firefighter was one Daly held onto for a long time, but he didn’t pursue it right away after high school. Instead, he joined the United States Marine Corps through the Delayed Entry Program. He served on active duty for six months, committing to a six-year enlistment.
Following his time in the United States Armed Forces, Daly began working as an inside sales representative at Discount Wiring while also attending Indiana University Northwest. During his time there, he met Joe McLees, who had once held the same position Daly does today. On his days off, McLees worked at Discount Wiring and started asking him some rather important questions.
“The former assistant fire chief came in and said, ‘Have you ever thought about being a firefighter?’ Lone behold, that was something I hadn’t thought about in a long time because I never thought that was a total possibility,” he said. “Then he told me if I wanted to get into the fire department, I needed to get my EMT certification, as the fire service was cross staffing into the medic side.”
Daly paused his studies at Indiana University Northwest, shifting his focus toward new opportunities that would shape his career path. He would take classes at EMT school at night so he could prepare himself for his eventual career change. In 1995, he took his first steps toward securing a fire-department spot and ended up getting hired the next year.
Throughout his first year, much of Daly’s beginning assignments consisted of having to attend training sessions and other classes to further his developing knowledge of his new job. He would work 24 hours on the job, then 48 hours off, while continuing his installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment.
Over the years Daly made his way through the ranks, working his way up from the lowest portion of the totem pole. He was eventually promoted to lieutenant, taking on a bit more responsibility. A few years later, he advanced to the role of captain, overseeing a fire station and further honing his leadership skills. In early 2015, when the search for a new fire chief began, Daly's name was among the contenders. Though he didn’t receive the position, Chad Dutz, who was ultimately selected, saw his potential and invited him to step into the role of assistant fire chief.
“The camaraderie among my fellow brothers and sisters has been one of the most meaningful parts of this job,” Daly said. “Another great aspect is the people we get to help. Firefighting is about service—it’s not about us or what we want, it’s about helping the community and giving everything we can to someone who’s maybe at their lowest point.”
In his current role, Daly’s at the forefront of the fire department’s overall operations. When he gets to work each morning, he gets busy in his collaborations with the battalion chiefs. He strives to keep channels of communication between three stations seamless and open.
Even though he’s involved with the department’s administrative side, Daly constantly realizes the importance of being a firefighter. He understands that helping members of the community remain secure and stable is perhaps the most critical component of his job.
“Being a firefighter is very important—just the fact that we want to help people out," he said. "Our goal is to respond quickly and be where we’re needed most. While emergencies aren’t everyday occurrences, when someone does require a firefighter, an ambulance, or a paramedic from our department, they’re incredibly grateful for our presence. We’re helping out, and we try to balance our taxing of the community.”
Daly and the department make efforts to stay involved in the community beyond just keeping it safe from fires. He’ll help to organize public education events, welcoming townspeople to learn about the dangers of fire hazards, and how to maintain their smoke detectors. Additionally, fundraisers are arranged where donations for local non-profits, such as Rebuilding Together, can be collected.
July is slated to mark the end to Daly’s time as a public service worker. After nearly three decades, he’s braced for the next chapter of his life. He looks forward to what might lie ahead for him and his loved ones. Several decisions played into his choice to hang up his helmet this summer. He won’t quit in his pursuit of offering support to others, though.
“I do think it’s about time to move on and do something else. I started feeling it was time as I would continue to hear about the traumatic calls, even though I was not on the truck. They’d bring back the memory of some experiences, and I realized I’m looking for new ones,” he said. “I’m going to miss this place.”
The Porter County Emergency Management Agency welcomes Daly as a hazardous materials coordinator later this year. He plans to make more time for his hobbies such as being out on the water, biking, hiking, and celebrating his faith. He’s looking forward to spending more time in the Valparaiso community.
“I love Valparaiso, and I love Porter County. I think there's a lot of activities and friendly people here,” Daly said. “It’s a blessing to live here. I’m grateful for both the city and its community.”