PARIS – His father’s service in World War II is part of the reason the Paris fire chief loves war history. Brad Frost remembers listening to his dad describe his experiences in Germany.
But he also loved history in school, and now as an adult he enjoys watching The History Channel. “I’m a history buff; I always have been,” Frost said Friday in an interview at the Paris Fire Department on Western Avenue.
He said his father never told him any of the “gory stuff” from the war, but he did relay fascinating stories, including the time his platoon, which was fighting in Germany, was held up because they saw an armed sniper in a tower. Fearing they would be easy targets if they tried to enter the tower, the American soldiers waited.
They eventually stormed in and found a big surprise: The sniper was a dummy the Nazis set up to fool enemy forces.
Stories like that are part of the reason that Frost, 66, hopes someday to visit Europe, where many of the biggest battles of World War II were fought. He would especially like to see Germany and France.
He and his wife, Peggy, a paramedic, love to travel, particularly on cruise ships. In March, they will embark on a cruise to the eastern Caribbean. They have already visited Alaska, Hawaii, and the eastern and western Caribbean.
They enjoy the relaxation of cruises and meeting people from all over the country. He also has been to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., a place he described as “awesome.” His fondness for country music was apparent from the radio station that was playing in his office.
When not conducting his official duties, which have him at the department three days a week, Frost also hunts and fishes, and so does Peggy. “She even cleans the fish for me,” he said.
Frost, who is in his fourth year as fire chief, has been with the Fire Department since 1963. His two-year term as chief expires in June, but he hopes to serve one more. “I’m in good health. I’m a little overweight,” he said, laughing, “but I feel pretty good.”
He admits he gets frustrated by the large amount of paperwork he constantly prepares, much of it required by the state and federal government, but he knows it serves a purpose. “It’s a good thing. It’s a safety thing,” he said.
And the paperwork is bearable because of the rewards of his job. “I love people and being able to help people,” he said.
Frost was born in Norway and grew up on a farm milking cows, gathering eggs, pitching hay and taking care of his family’s large garden. His parents were hardy Mainers, growing and hunting their food.
“My mother canned vegetables, and we would live off them all winter,” he said. “I grew up on deer meat.”
His family now is large, including five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. For Christmas, they make it easy – the kids get money. “I hate shopping,” he said.
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