By Pamela Shiffler (Contact / Staff Bio)
March 27, 2008 - 12:00 a.m. EST

Cody Collopy is a part-time firefighter for the Westminster Fire Department. He has been a firefighter for 12 years, starting as a volunteer.

He came about the career in an unusual way when Chief Smith approached him one morning as he got home from working third shift at Westpoint Stevens and asked him what he did during the day. His answer was sleep! Smith asked him to become a volunteer at the fire department and that is what he has done ever since.

Collopy has only been a paid firefighter for the department for one month, but spent 10 years working as a firefighter in Florence County. He says what he likes most about his profession is everything. He enjoys giving back to the community. He is also a full-time firefighter for Glassy Mountain Fire Department in Greenville County, as well as an EMT.

Collopy and his wife, Christina, have four children ages 13, 9 and a set of twins who are 2 ½. In his spare time, when he has any, he enjoys spending time with his family, fishing and golfing.