Clayton Fire Department’s Meet Us Monthly Feature: August 2024

It is the first Monday of August, which means we are recognizing another valued member of our team during #MeetUsMonthly.  

Engineer Brian Ruksznis is a fixture within the Clayton Fire Department, having had a part-time position since 2007 and then becoming a full-time employee in 2014. His central role is driving the fire truck and getting crew members to each location safely. While Ruksznis’ favorite part of the job is being able to help residents in the community, he also has a soft spot for his colleagues. “That’s one of the biggest draws to the fire department – one of the biggest things that people like the most is the comradery and the brotherhood.” 

Growing up in Maine, Ruksznis spends most of his career doing drywall before a neighbor talks him into moving to North Carolina in 2005 and eventually joining the fire department.  

While his path to fire service comes later in life, Ruksznis says it is never too late to start, offering this advice to future firefighters: “Do it while you’re young. Go hang out at the fire department and do it while you’re young. I didn’t start until I was 35.”  

When he’s not working, Ruksznis enjoys being with his wife, three children, and two dogs. His family is growing too. Ruksznis is absolutely giddy when it comes to talking about his six-month-old grandson.