Crime & Safety
Meet Tampa Fire Rescue’s Robert Thomas
A Q&A with Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas
Tampa Fire Rescue captain
Works at: Station 7, 6129 N. Nebraska Ave.
Joined: 1995
Personal: 42, married, father of one daughter
Hometown: Tampa
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Patch: What do you like most about your job?
Thomas: The variety of calls. Nothing’s ever repetitive.
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Patch: How did you become interested in firefighting?
Thomas: I saw my sister in a car accident when I was 14. I was confused about what to do and concerned about taking care of her. I said, “I have to learn how to do this.” She was in the hospital for about a week with broken bones. Nobody died, thank goodness.
Patch: What’s your most memorable call?
Thomas: I’ve seen the worst of the worst. … I remember a warehouse fire right off Busch Boulevard first thing in the morning. It was the first time I had a second-alarm fire. There were 5,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel inside. It was something that made you think.
Patch: Do you have a hero or mentor?
Thomas: God. That covers it all right there.
Patch: What’s your favorite color?
Thomas: Green. It reminds me of the outdoors. It’s calming to me.
Patch: What’s the last movie you saw?
Thomas: “Unknown.” It’s not that good.