On this episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Nathan Torian, President of Paducah Professional Firefighters Local 168, and Michael Hall, a firefighter and EMT, gave listeners a look into the strength, unity and heart of their union in Paducah, Ky.
Despite Kentucky’s status as a So-Called “Right-To-Work” state—and ongoing staffing reductions—the union remains a tight-knit group, fiercely dedicated to its mission of serving the community both on and off the job, Torian said. Their projects, like Operation Warm and the Kids Christmas Program, not only provide essentials to local children but also reinforce the bond between firefighters and the families they protect.
Hall also shared his journey to the fire service, reflecting on how joining the union showed him the depth of camaraderie and the wide-ranging impact firefighters have beyond emergency calls. For Hall, firefighting is about much more than responding to fires: it's offering hope during people's lowest moments and being a visible pillar of support in the community, whether through medical calls, disaster response or local charity events.
There are significant staffing challenges facing their department, as Torian highlighted the reality of doing more with less. Despite being down from nearly 100 to just 60 firefighters, Local 168 continues to step up—often going above and beyond National Fire Protection Association guidelines, and filling unmet community needs. Yet both Torian and Hall stressed that such resilience cannot replace the need for sensible staffing and funding, underscoring the very real risks that come with chronic under-resourcing—even as city officials fail to acknowledge the strain.
Despite setbacks, such as losing critical equipment in a major flood earlier this year, the Local's annual participation in Paducah's “Barbecue on the River” fundraiser demonstrates the mutual support between firefighters and their neighbors. The union's call for help after the flood was met with overwhelming community generosity, allowing them to not only recover but to expand their outreach. For Torian and Hall, that's what being in a union—and being a firefighter—is all about: “meeting hardship with solidarity, service and heart.”
Want to hear more inspiring stories of how unions give back? Listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.