Faces of the Valley: Married firefighters share a passion for public service

Tamara and Bryan Baum are united in their love for firefighting — and for each other.

The married couple from Washington Township are volunteer firefighters with Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 1.

The Baums have served with the department for about 15 years, responding to the same fire calls when their schedules allow.

Within the department, Bryan serves as deputy chief and Tamara as safety officer and treasurer.

Both hail from firefighting families. Tamara’s father, Thomas Filo, was assistant chief for more than 40 years at Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Bryan has numerous relatives volunteering in Apollo.

Tamara, 39, is a 2001 Kiski Area High School alum and works in administration for the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop A, in Indiana.

Bryan, 43, graduated from Lenape Technical School in 1996. He works full time at Camping World in Washington Township.

For Bryan, the decision to serve was decided at a young age. He was 14 when he joined Apollo Hose Company No. 2.

“It’s in the blood: my grandfather, my dad and me,” Bryan said of his decision to be a volunteer firefighter.

For the Baums, separating their marital relationship from volunteer duties is important.

“I turn the marriage switch off when fighting fires because of our positions,” Bryan said. “It’s stuff you leave at the fire ground, and you don’t take it home with you.”

Even when they were dating, the couple frequently responded to the same fires.

A multiresidence fire on Hamilton Avenue in Vandergrift is one night that remains a vivid memory for Tamara.

“We were out with friends the night before, and in the middle of the night everyone in the Valley got the call,” she said. “It was three houses. We were dating then.”

The couple pulled a firefighter all-nighter, with crews getting the fire under control through the next afternoon.

Tamara’s safety officer duties require her to keep tabs on each firefighter.

“That’s my job. I keep track and keep an eye on everything. When I show up to a fire later, I make sure and find him and tell him, ‘I’m here,’ ” Tamara Baum said.

The couple tied the knot in 2011 during a firefighter-themed wedding, complete with multiple firetrucks, groomsmen wearing their fire department uniforms, a fire hat-themed cake and orange, red and yellow wedding colors.

“We rode from the church to take photos and then to the reception in a fire truck,” Tamara said.

Courtesy of the Baums

Tamara and Bryan Baum incorporated a firefighting theme into their wedding in 2011.

The Baums have two daughters: Vivian, 9, and Genevieve, 7. Responding to fire calls as parents has added a new level of responsibility for the couple, one that sometimes limits their ability to respond.

“Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s frustrating. We both enjoy it, serving and helping the community when they’re in a time of need,” Tamara said. “I can’t go and respond a lot because I have parental duties.”

The Baums’ oldest daughter, Vivian, thinks her parents have a cool job as volunteer firefighters.

“I’m proud of them,” she said. “I ask them sometimes what happened on a call. Was anyone hurt?”

Courtesy of the Baums

Married volunteer firefighters Bryan and Tamara Baum at the scene of a fire. The couple has volunteered with the Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 for about 15 years.

Mike Reilly, president of Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, praised the Baums’ loyalty to the department.

“They are very important to the fire company. They have completely separate duties fighting fires,” Reilly said. “Tamara is the safety officer, and she keeps a close eye on firefighters’ immediate health needs on the fire scene.”

Reilly acknowledged the sacrifices the couple sometimes has to make in their personal lives.

“They make it work, especially with two girls at home,” Reilly said. “It shows a real dedication to the fire service.”

The department has about 45 active members.