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Meet Your Neighbor: Dan Pentkowski
By Callie Thomas
It’s one of those professions that have been a favorite among young children for decades. In fact, it was as a child that resident Dan Pentkowski became passionate about becoming a firefighter. “My father was a volunteer firefighter in a small town,” says Pentkowski. “Some of my earliest memories are of being on the front seat of the engine and wearing his helmet.” By high school Dan knew what he wanted to do with his life. While other students pondered the endless choices on career day, Dan made a beeline to talk with the firefighters. Pentkowski became a firefighter paramedic at 21, and since moving to Henderson seven years ago by way of Scottsdale, Arizona, he has served the City of Henderson not only as a fireman and paramedic, but as President of the Henderson Professional Firefighters. Pentkowski represents 186 members of the department and is responsible for ensuring the success of their staffing model, hazard training, as well as numerous community outreach efforts. “Through my work in the department and as the President of Henderson Professional Firefighters, I am very involved in our community through our charities. Our service doesn’t stop when we go off duty.”
Each day Dan responds to hazardous calls where his extensive training ensures effective response and an exceptional level of service. He prides himself on his involvement in local and national charities and nonprofit organizations. These include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Red Cross, Safe Kids Clark County, Safe Nest, Boys and Girls Club of Henderson, Public Education Foundation and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. Dan is also one of the founding members of the Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association, which is open to all members of the department. The group identifies charities that have impact in the community and look to partner or participate with them. “I serve as a liaison with these charities and am directly involved in fundraising and delivery of service,” he said.
Perhaps one of the most influential organizations that Dan has been involved with is the Safe Kids Clark County and American Red Cross organizations that help prevent injury and child fatality. They work to help prevent drowning, provide car seats and car installations, raise awareness about leaving children in hot cars and teach CPR to help prevent these tragedies from happening. “These are not only the hardest calls to deal with and the most painful to families and responders, but they are mostly preventable.”
Before Dan and his wife Jill had their children, seven year old son Keagan and five year old daughter Graecyn, he had a summer with numerous drowning and near drowning incidents. “I was incredibly impacted by the pain that I had witnessed with the families,” he recalled. “Every firefighter has experienced these calls and, to an extent, these same emotions.”
The Henderson Firefighters Benevolent Association produced and aired a drowning prevention PSA that was an especially personal experience for Pentkowski. His baby daughter Graecyn was the star. “It was chilling to see her participate in a mock drowning (she did great by the way), but it was incredible to watch my co-workers who were participating in the video rush in and save her as we do every day. Knowing that we may have prevented a tragedy is one of the most important community outreach memories I have,” he said.
Dan Pentkowski is proud to call Henderson his home and to serve and give back to the community he loves. “As a firefighter we respond to the emergencies in our neighborhoods. Our charitable work allows us to reach far beyond an emergency and help those in need in their everyday life. We actively try to prevent injury to children, and work to make our community, our home, a better place.”
