Protecting Perryville With Dad: A Father’s Day Story from Perryville Fire Company

A woman was trapped inside a vehicle that crumpled around her in an accident. Community Fire Company of Perryville Fire Captain Harold Riale Jr. and two of his kids were among the first on scene.

“We had to use our minds together and work together,” said daughter Chelsea McKinney, a Perryville Firefighter and EMS Captain. “My brother (Firefighter Christian Riale) got all the medical supplies we
needed – he knew what we needed just by looking. My dad and I knew how to get a door open and get her out safely.”

While she wasn’t on scene that day, Harold’s daughter Kylee Riale is also a full member of the fire company.

“I am very proud of seeing how they operate – calmly, efficiently, focused on their duties, and
not at all anxious,” Harold said.

A Family Tradition

Chelsea, Kylee, and Christian all joined as soon as they turned 16 – just like Harold did.

“My father, Harold Sr., was a member here, and when I was just a kid, he would bring me to the
firehouse with him,” Harold remembers. His Great Uncle Harold and other family members volunteered, too. “I would hang out with the guys, play wiffle ball or Pac-Man. When a call came in, I would watch my dad get dressed (in turnout gear) and get on the truck. It was pretty cool.”

Harold brought all of his kids to the firehouse to see the trucks and for family cookouts and other
events. Christian immediately loved it and knew he would join as a junior firefighter as soon as he was old enough. He recently turned 18, finished Firefighter 1 training, and is one of Perryville’s
newest full members. “This is an important branch in our family tree,” Christian said. “My dad’s dad joined, he joined, my sisters joined, and I joined. It’s our tradition, and I’m proud.”

Dad’s Ability to Save Lives Changes His Daughter’s Mind

Unlike her brother and father, Chelsea, who is now 25, did not spend her childhood eagerly waiting to sign up. She enjoyed firehouse events, but didn’t find the trucks particularly magical. Sometimes
she resented that her dad had to leave home when she wanted to spend time with him.

Her mind changed the day her family was riding in their car and came upon an accident scene. Harold pulled over and rushed to help. “I saw him in action, and I realized what he was doing with the fire company and how much it helps people,” said Chelsea, who was then in middle school. “I thought that maybe this was something I wanted to do, too.”

Join the Firehouse Family

Volunteering is a great family activity, Harold said. “For fathers and mothers, it brings you closer to your kids. It allows you to see a different side of them, and see the way they help other people, and it makes you that much prouder of your kid.”

But you don’t have to volunteer with your own family to become part of a second family at Perryville Community Fire Company, he added. “We are all brothers and sisters at the firehouse. We
all work as a team to help our community.”

Perryville Fire Company has immediate openings for volunteers in emergency and non-emergency roles. Learn more, reach out, or sign up at joinperryvillefire.org.