For the last 21 years, Robert Kauffmann has helped battle many raging fires, including ones at the St. Paul's United Methodist church and the Veteran's House.

"I've always wanted to be a fireman because of the things they do," Kauffmann, the chief of Alpha Fire Company, said. "It's time consuming, sometimes you wonder why you do it. But it's fun."

Kauffmann, who has been chief for two years, is in charge of 85 volunteer firefighters. He said the fire company answers about one call a week. This month has been hectic for the fire house, he said, noting that January's fire damage exceeded the normal six-month average.

Four assistants help Kauffmann in his duties, which include caring for the equipment, overseeing training programs, supervising fire operations and doing paperwork.

Kauffmann joined the company when he was 22. He started as a regular lineman, was the first assistant chief for eight years and the third assistant chief for two years.

The job is not without its drawbacks, however. Kauffmann said one of the more gruesome parts of his job is dealing with fire casualties.

"It has to be the worst thing to take a body, especially a child, out of a building that has been burnt," he said.

Kauffmann also dislikes disciplining other firefighters, but said he doesn't have too many problems. "Everyone that's here has done a super job -- we work together just like a family," he said.

His friendships with most of the firefighters makes it difficult to censure them when they do something wrong, he said. However, the system works both ways and the men are permitted to yell at him if they see him doing something wrong, he added.

Tom Hand, fire protection engineer for the University and Alpha's third assistant chief, said he is pleased with Kauffmann's work as chief. "He has a very good working relationship with his assistants," he said, adding: "He listens to what we say and is open to suggestions."

At fires, Kauffmann works as a fireground commander, in charge of making sure the blaze is extinguished quickly and properly. He oversees the operation and handles any problems that may develop.

Kauffmann, a State College native, graduated from State College Area High School in 1963. He married Judy Wilson in the summer of 1966, and they live in Port Matilda with their two sons, Shawn, 20, and Chad, 17.

Since his Alpha work is on a volunteer basis, Kauffmann works at Martin Oil as a truck driver and his wife is a secretary at the University.

His son, Shawn Kauffmann (junior-animal production), also works as a volunteer fireman at the Alpha Fire House.

Robert Kauffmann decided to run for chief because he did not feel confident with the people that were going to take over. "This year, (the company has) a better working relationship with the chief," Kauffmann said.

He plans to finish the last two years of his four-year term, at which point he could run for one of the assistant chief positions. He remains undecided, however, about what he will do when his term is up.

Anyone over 18 can become a volunteer firefighter, including students, Kauffmann said. However, he added, the process is very time consuming.

To become a firefighter, an applicant must complete 72 hours of training --both first aid and fire -- in one year. After qualification, applicants are accepted on a one-year trial period. During that period, each trainee must be present at 25 percent of the fires, complete 20 hours of training and attend eight fire fighter meetings.

The Alpha Fire Company covers a 110-square mile area, including the State College borough, the University campus, and College, Ferguson, Patton and Benner townships, Kauffmann said.

Each of the 85 firemen are equipped with beepers in case of emergency. Kauffmann said the average response time is about two to three minutes for a truck to be sent out.

And on those trucks, Kauffmann says, are dedicated, talented firefighters.

"I guess it takes a different breed of person to do this job," he said.