Atmos Energy employees volunteer their time and talents each year to Make a Difference at hundreds of community organizations in the places where we live, work, and serve. Some of us read books to children at a local library, inspiring a love of literacy that will last a lifetime. Others serve meals or pack food boxes at a food bank, helping to address food insecurity for our most vulnerable neighbors. Casey Hanlon, a storage operations technician from Independence, Kan., vividly recalls his first introduction to fire safety and prevention, which led to 17 years of service (and counting) as a volunteer firefighter.

“What drew me to it early on, when I was a kid, we would have fire prevention week at school,” said Casey. “The local firefighters would come and bring the truck, decked out in their gear, and show us all the equipment. That’s initially when I got the itch.”

Today, Casey volunteers an average of 20 hours per month as a captain at the Tyro Rural Fire Department, with duties that include conducting training sessions, helping new members understand the importance of safety, and making decisions on scene if the chief or assistant chief is not present. However, even as he serves in a leadership position at the department, Casey’s volunteer schedule is unpredictable.

“We are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, with responsibilities that vary week to week and month to month,” explained Casey. “If there is an emergency, a call will come in from the police dispatch to our pagers or an app called eDispatches on our phones. When we respond to the scene, a fire call can last anywhere from 30 minutes to four or five hours. Spring is often our busiest season because that is when farmers like to burn off their pastures. Depending on the wind, it’s easy for one to get away and turn bad in a hurry.”

Atmos Energy’s vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas services, so Casey’s emphasis on safety at work translates thoroughly to his volunteer activities.

“My roles at Atmos and the fire department both require a strong focus on risk assessment, safety, and quick effective action in critical situations,” he adds. “Also, there is a lot of overlap with community service and outreach, particularly when it comes to teaching about natural gas safety, and I love the training meetings we have at the station. It’s a great way to swap stories and learn even more from some of the seasoned veterans.”

Casey also makes an effort to share these experiences with his son, Tripp, remembering that he himself was about the same age when he first “got the itch” for firefighting.

“Occasionally bringing my son to the firehouse with me is so rewarding – it’s a special bond that we get to share,” Casey reveals. “He loves climbing in and out of the trucks, pretending to drive, and even fighting a fake fire with the hoses and nozzles. He enjoys being my helper when his class comes to visit for fire prevention month, and they even learn the basics of CPR, first aid, and fire safety.”

As Casey reflects on his first year of tenure with Atmos Energy – he started with the company in July 2023 – he appreciates how our culture perfectly encapsulates the values that he also lives as a volunteer firefighter.

“It is incredible how closely our AtmoSpirit principles align with the tenets firefighting,” Casey says. “Inspiring Trust is crucial in both roles, because the public relies on us to keep them safe. Being At Your Best means a readiness to act quickly when responding to emergencies. Bringing Out the Best in Others mirrors a firefighting team, where collaboration and communication are key. Focusing on the Future is important for continuous improvement and safety in both fields. And finally, Making a Difference is at the heart of both roles, whether it’s saving lives or being the safest provider of natural gas services.”

Research has shown that volunteering can reduce stress and anxiety while improving mood and self-esteem, and Casey is just one example among the hundreds of Atmos Energy employees who collectively volunteered 42,924 hours in fiscal year 2023.