Meet Tampa Fire Rescue’s 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

Patch: What do you like most about your job?

Thomas: The variety of calls. Nothing’s ever repetitive.

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.