Retired Fire Chief Don Wall is closing in on his second year as a NASCAR pit road firefighter. After serving 20-plus years in Shohola, Pa., Wall and his wife, Nelia, mostly enjoy the slower pace of small-town Franklin, where they have resided for more than 10 years. They even work part-time at J.W. Mitchell Farms in the Cowee community and are the faces customers see when browsing Franklin’s Saturday morning farmers market.
However, periodically, the couple loads up their RV and travels to NASCAR tracks to work an entire weekend’s worth of races. The couple has worked at tracks in Daytona, Fla., Darlington, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. Wall works races for series such as ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America), Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and the NASCAR cup.
The call to serve
Prior to becoming a firefighter, Wall witnessed a horrific car accident – a two-car collision that resulted in one car catching fire. Wall tried everything to save the people involved, but despite his and five others’ efforts, two people burned to death in their car.
“I watched the people burn to death as they were screaming. I told myself that I never wanted to witness that again, so I went to school and became a firefighter. I never saw that again; we got people out, we extricated them, we saved many lives, and we lost many lives, but I never saw anyone burn to death again.”
During his career as a firefighter, Wall served in New York City just a day after 9/11 occurred, and he served and provided aid during the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster in Louisiana.
From roadways to pit road
Two years ago, Wall was recruited by a longtime colleague to work as a pit road firefighter. Wall was recognized as a perfect fit because of his breadth of knowledge and experience in the field of firefighting.
At first, Wall was skeptical, being that he is happily retired, but also because of his lack of exposure to the sport. Still, Wall decided to pursue the opportunity as a new adventure.
Wall took eight different NASCAR tests to become a fighter on pit road, all of which he passed with flying colors. Upon completing the required tests, NASCAR sent Wall to a hands-on training program where he learned the specifics of firefighting in the pit road setting. After becoming officially certified, Wall is required to continue his education as the sport evolves, renewing his certification annually.
How it works
A usual race day lasts anywhere from four to six hours, sometimes longer. Each firefighter is selected at random to fulfill each of the 30 to 40 car-pit stalls on a pit road at a race track. When assigned to a pit stall, the firefighter stands behind the pit wall in a 3-foot by 3-foot square. Each firefighter is equipped with a container of “oil dry” and two fire extinguishers. One extinguisher is water-based and the other chemical-based. Firefighters stay ready with an extinguisher in hand during each pit stop. The assigned pit road firefighter is usually placed where the fuel man is stationed.
“I tell each fuel man to run to me with their hands up if they are on fire; the fuel has such a high-octane content that the flame can sometimes be invisible to the eye,” said Wall.
Each firefighter wears full turnout gear consisting of a helmet, headset, safety glasses, Nomex hood, gloves, coat, pants, and boots. There is no shade on pit road. Firefighters often stand in full sun for the duration of the race with no opportunity to step away. On 95-degree days, the temperature inside the turnout gear can rise above 100 degrees. With such extreme conditions, firefighters need plenty of water during the race.
Nelia works in pit road logistics, where she aids the firefighters with any supplies they need, including food and water.
Pit road is a very dangerous area to be in during a race, with drivers reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour before coming to an abrupt stop.
“We are constantly told to have our head on a swivel for any possible danger,” said Wall.
Wall and all the other pit road firefighters are monitored by the race tower. They are required to report any accident or action taken while on duty. Each stall is made up of several crew members working simultaneously to service a race car in an average of seven to nine seconds.
“The pit road crews are extremely talented and athletic men,” said Wall, adding, “The best part about being a pit road firefighter is when nothing happens and I know everyone is safe.”
Once a firefighter, always a firefighter, and Wall continues to serve with the well-being of others first and foremost.