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Some people find their true calling in life at an early age. Pahrump Valley Fire-Rescue Services Chief Scott Lewis is one of those lucky people who always knew what he was going to do.

"I was born and raised in the fire service," he said on Tuesday. "I know the term doesn't sound very good, but I was a fire station rat. My father would take me down to the fire station with him. He's a retired chief engineer in Pottsville, Pa.

"I would go to fire calls with my dad and I knew from a very early age I would be a firefighter like him. Even the chief would indulge me," said Lewis. "He would let me ride in his car, sometimes."

With that background, it is no surprise Lewis entered a burning home on Flag Street while off-duty and saved two sleeping residents Nov. 3, 2008. (For the full story, see the Nov. 14 edition of the PVT.)

For that act of selfless bravery, Lewis was recently accepted as a nominee for the America's Most Wanted television show's all-star award for his heroism.

Lewis carries on the family tradition, bringing his two sons on calls at times. "They love it," said Lewis. "That doesn't mean they'll become firefighters, but what kid doesn't like fire trucks?

No matter what time of day or night, when sirens sound throughout the Pahrump Valley, Lewis is most likely on the scene, commanding a fire or helping to carry an accident victim on a long-board stretcher to the ambulance.

"I have a very simple life," Lewis admits. "It's just an open book."

That said, Lewis pulled a hardcover book from the shelf behind his desk at the main fire station and opened it to a series of black and white photographs. The book memorializes all the years of the Pottsville Fire Department, starting in the 1800s, using some pictures from the town's historical society. It was authored by a friend from Pottsville who also became a firefighter.

"This is an amazing book," Lewis mused while turning to the page showing numerous fire trucks lined up next to each other. "This 1958 Oren fire apparatus was my dad's."

Lewis recounted a day in 1976 when a new Hawn fire truck arrived in Pottsville. He was playing football, so his dad drove by the school's football field and sounded the engine's siren to the delight of the whole team.

The busy office Lewis calls his own has space for many pieces of memorabilia and personal history. There are photographs of his wife and children, fire truck models, some large framed items and pieces of equipment.

In the still open book on his desk, he pointed out three lights that form a triangle on top of the cab of an older fire truck. "That's a roto-ray light," said Lewis. "It rotates the three lights around."

While Lewis is always the professional, it's easy to imagine him as a little guy proudly riding in the fire engine with his dad. Especially when he points out that he has his own roto-ray sitting to the left of his desk.