FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS)— Fond Du Lac Firefighter takes on his first week back on the job after a yearlong deployment overseas.

A Wisconsin firefighter is welcomed back home after a year away from his job. Firefighter paramedic, Brett Hefty is a man who knows a thing or two about service. After joining the ranks to become a firefighter at 18, he knew he found his passion.

That love of service led Hefty overseas for a yearlong deployment with the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

"I went to Afghanistan with the mindset that I wanted to do something, I wanted to make an impact and if there is any possible way that I can get in and do something extra, I was going to do it," Fond Du Lac Firefighter/Paramedic, Brett Hefty said.

Hefty is now back on call with Fond Du Lac Fire and is on his first week back on the job. He is already responding to calls and making trips out in the community for safety checks.

Hefty says his skills as a paramedic helped him excel overseas and he came back with more experience than he could have imagined.

"I was not only able to keep up with trauma but actually learn a lot more so I’m bringing back far better trauma medic skills back to Wisconsin than what I left with," Hefty said.

He says as he makes his way back through his community and his home, he's reminded why he chose to serve; because of the people.

"The Fond Du Lac homecoming has been really great. They know how to throw a ceremony; they know how to make a guy feel welcome. I actually wish that every soldier got to experience that," Hefty said.

He is seen as a true man of service, laying down his life for his community and his country.