Since firefighters had not arrived, Hurlocker said he sprung into action.

The Times-News reported Wednesday that, with permission from the home-renter's 21-year-old daughter -- who was meeting her mother, the tenant, and did not have a key --Hurlocker, wearing bunker pants and camouflage fatigues, kicked down the back door, went in and retrieved two cats and one dog.

Fire officials arrived soon after and disposed of the flames, which ultimately stopped short, less than one foot from the home's rear.

After seeing Hurlocker quoted in the newspaper, Walker told the Times-News the man attended less than five meetings two or three years ago, and that he had not been heard from since.

"I'm not a lawyer or a policeman, but he's no longer in the department and no longer representing us. He's in possession of our gear ... without our permission," Walker said.

Walker said Hurlocker had been issued a fire jacket, bunker pants, boots, gloves, a helmet and a pager, all valued at $1,000.

After failing to complete the required number of training hours, Walker said the department had tried to contact the man.

"We sent at least one letter to his last known address, with no response, informing him that he was no longer in the department and he was required to turn in his gear," he said.

Walker added that he was concerned about reports of Hurlocker "offering to perform fire services such as breaking into a resident's home." "He's not qualified in tasks like forcible entry, he's performing tasks he's not trained in," he said.

While Walker did mention the possibility of charges being filed, (impersonation of a fireman is a Class 3 misdemeanor) he said he would be happy if Hurlocker would cease to impersonate a fireman -- and return the gear.

Graham Fire Chief John Andrews said he remembers seeing Hurlocker assisting with Tuesday's fire.

"I thought he was a volunteer," he said. "This is the first time I've seen this since I've been chief.

"Someone like that is a liability to himself as well as other firefighters," he said.

Andrews said he would bring the issue up at the next chief 's meeting and that they would probably give Hurlocker's name to the fire marshal's office, which will in turn "promptly notify the sheriff 's department." The Times-News could not reach Hurlocker for comment Thursday.

Written by Times-News