Safford Volunteer Fire Department and Orrville Fire Department Chief Robert Weaver spent part of the year battling leukemia.

Weaver said he’s been in remission since April and is slowly working his way back into the Safford VFD and Orrville VFD. He’s worked as Chief for the last 15 years and also owns a dirt construction company, Weaver Farms, and a wood working company, Artistic Woodworks.

“It’s been a long journey,” Weaver said. “I spent four months at UAB in Birmingham and went through several rounds of chemotherapy. Sometimes life gets very interesting.”

Weaver credited his wife, Ashley, their 11-year-old daughter, Riley, both Orrville VFD and Safford VFD for helping him successfully battle leukemia.

“It helped me being around the guys and I had a chance to go out,” Weaver said. “There’s a lot of good guys in the Safford VFD and Orrville VFD.”

Weaver, 35, said he can’t explain how he became a firefighter.

“I don’t know why I love firefighting, I just enjoy helping people,” Weaver said.  “Firefighting is something I love to do.”

Weaver said one advantage at both fire departments is several of his employees work at one of the companies he owns.

“We stay really busy,” Weaver said. “It helps to know the personnel.”

Weaver hasn’t helped put out a fire in months, but said he hopes to eventually get back in soon.

“I have not fought a fire since February, but I’ve worked several wrecks with the fire department,” Weaver said.