05/27/2026
Within Reliant Fire Apparatus is a team of dedicated people who all share one common goal: 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬.
Behind every service call, delivery, repair and relationship is a group of individuals who care deeply about serving others and supporting the fire service community.
While you may recognize some of the faces representing Reliant each day, we want to introduce you to the 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 — the individuals whose passion, commitment and character help drive our mission forward both inside and outside of work.
From the fire service to family life, hobbies, community involvement and everything in between, we’re excited to give you a closer look at the incredible people who make Reliant what it is.
We’re thrilled to begin this feature with 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐥, 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫. Chris has been with Reliant approximately 1.5 years — his job spans across three states: Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan. Let’s get to know Chris a bit more below — the next time you see him, ask him about something you read in this feature! He likes to talk, and he’d love to get to know you more, too. 🙂
🔴 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬?
⚫️ I started almost a year and a half ago. I was looking for a career where I could have more of an impact, not only on the internal team for the company I work for but also outside of those walls, within the communities I live in as well. I love helping others: Developing, growing and guiding the best I can.
🔴 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 — 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟?
⚫️ There is nothing in this world that makes me more proud than my wife and kids. You can call me a bit bias but isn’t that the way it should be. I have been with my lovely wife, Kelly, for 28 years now, married for 21 of those. Together we have faced many challenges, and we’ve had each other’s backs every step of the way. We have raised three loving and wise kids along the way. With our time off, we enjoy spending time with our families, being outside and staying active: Whether it’s hunting, fishing, on the water or just a good honest day’s work in the woods.
🔴 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠?
⚫️ I always find the most rewarding experiences to be when I see others win. Maybe it’s seeing someone on the team have a great day by working through something challenging where I have helped guide them. It could be hearing how satisfied a customer is with their service experience. It could be as simple as them thanking our team for helping them get their apparatus up and running again. This ultimately helps them serve their communities and I enjoy seeing the fulfillment and joy that feeling brings them.
Most challenging … hmm. Let’s just say, it’s not easy. Anyone who’s worked in service and more specifically the fire industry knows this. These machines and this industry can be challenging. From the mechanical complexities of the apparatus to the physical and mental demands that our firefighters experience every day. For me, I struggle when I want to solve a problem or issue for someone, but I can’t as quickly or efficiently as I would like. Maybe there are supply issues, maybe our network of teams needs more time to evaluate and develop the best solution. There could be any number of very valid reasons, but I still struggle giving an answer that I know our customer does not want to hear. Honest, truthful, and realistic as it may be, it’s still challenging for me every time.
🔴 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞??
⚫️ Strong! Gotta power through some days. Lol.
🔴 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐩 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲?
⚫️ A Tech. Hands down. I miss turning wrenches and digging into a mechanical problem.
🔴 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 ... 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨-𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤?
⚫️ I consume way more Jimmy John’s than I should admit. Lol.
🔴 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝟑?
⚫️ I’m blessed with two sons and a daughter. I’ve always called them Trouble, Mischief and Drama. Wouldn’t change it for the world. 🙂 I love their different personalities and how I can connect with each one in our own special way.
🔴 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞?
⚫️ Just do what you say you are going to do. We all have a lot going on but being of your word goes a long way for me. As I tell my wife about projects around our house … if I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it! I don’t need to be reminded every 6 to 7 months! 😉
🔴 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝?
⚫️ I would like to say I’m very proud of everyone at Reliant and the effort they put in day in and day out. It’s great to be part of this team!