From Hobby to Hero: How Gardiner Found His Calling in the Gem of New York Tuxedo’s Fire Service

What do work socks, firefighting, and international tax accounting have in common? Gardiner Hempel Jr. We sat down with this remarkable man, who serves as one of the commissioners for the Tuxedo Fire District and the president of a local fire company. Gardiner is living proof that passion and community service can coexist with an entirely different professional career.

The first thing we noticed about Gardiner? His socks.
“They’re just in case we have a fire,” he said, referring to their practicality for wearing inside boots. But he quickly clarified he has more fashionable pairs for other occasions. Practicality, it seems, runs in his veins.

For those unfamiliar with Gardiner, he’s been a resident of Tuxedo, the Gem of New York for decades. His journey into firefighting began in an unexpected way: he didn’t even realize the fire service was voluntary until someone told him. “I thought it was paid,” he admitted, recounting how he started volunteering just before 9/11. What began as a community activity quickly became a calling. “After 9/11, it wasn’t just a hobby—it was a vocation,” he reflected.

From fetching pizzas and coffee for long calls, Gardiner transitioned into being a full responder, now covering a significant 16-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway. The numbers are astounding: approximately 300 calls a year, a third of which are high-speed accidents or fires. “The accidents can be heartbreaking,” Gardiner shared. “Sometimes, lives are lost in an instant.”

We couldn’t help but ask: how do you manage the sheer unpredictability of it all? “Safety is always the primary importance,” he explained. Firefighters operate harnessed at heights of up to 103 feet and rely on rigorous training to ensure they’re ready for any emergency—be it a car accident, a house fire, or even pumping out basements after floods.

But here’s the twist: firefighting is only Gardiner’s volunteer work. By day, he’s a partner at a Big Four accounting firm, specializing in international tax planning. The transition from emergency responder to numbers wizard seems like quite a leap, but for Gardiner, it makes perfect sense. “Numbers are reliable,” he said. “There’s an order and precision to them that just makes sense. In a world where so much feels chaotic, numbers never lie.”

Gardiner’s connection to Tuxedo runs deep. He moved there in the early 1990s, drawn by its beauty and sense of community. “It’s hard to believe this small town is just 45 minutes from New York City,” he remarked. Over time, he’s become part of the fabric of the community, contributing to the long-standing tradition of volunteer fire departments in upstate New York.

What’s most inspiring about Gardiner is his commitment—not just to his profession or volunteer work, but to the people around him. “The nice thing about being a firefighter is people genuinely like us. We’re here to do good things,” he said.

Gardiner, like so many volunteers, balances work, family, and service with an admirable sense of purpose. His wife, whom he met in Hong Kong, supports his efforts, and their story is yet another testament to Gardiner’s knack for weaving seemingly disparate elements into a coherent, fulfilling life.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Gardiner summed up what drives him: “It’s rewarding. It’s about being part of a brotherhood, doing good things, and making a difference in people’s lives. What could be better?”

For us, meeting Gardiner was a reminder of the extraordinary stories hidden in plain sight—the people in our communities who give so much of themselves. We left inspired, grateful for his service, and with a newfound appreciation for practical socks.

Until next time.

with Love
Marco and Erica