The Burnet Fire Department's Cory Schreiber began firefighting as a volunteer for the Hoover Valley department. He was only a teen at the time. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey

The Burnet Fire Department’s Cory Schreiber began firefighting as a volunteer for the Hoover Valley department. He was only a teen at the time. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey

It’s not easy to catch firefighter/paramedic Lt. Cory Schreiber of the Burnet Fire Department off guard, but those were the words he used when told he won a 2023 Locals Love Us award. Schreiber was voted Favorite First Responder by The Picayune Magazine readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners.
“I didn’t realize people were keeping track,” he said. “This is really surprising. It makes me feel like I’m doing a good job. You know, I make contact with people when they are having their worst day ever. I try to have a positive impact on their life on their worst days.”
Schreiber first came to firefighting as a teen volunteer for the Hoover Valley Volunteer Fire Department, where he took his first basic training class. That class and an advanced class he took after moving to the Burnet Fire Department included some medical training. 
“Originally, I started doing it because of firefighting,” he said. “But as time went on, I became more interested in the medical side.”
Schreiber has since expanded his training to include both firefighting and emergency medical treatment.
Firefighter/paramedics mostly ride in an ambulance but keep fire gear with them at all times. 
“Ninety percent of our calls are medical calls,” Schreiber said.
Born in Llano, Schreiber is a 2006 Burnet High School graduate. He has been a firefighter for 10 years now. When not at work, he is at home in Bertram with his family. 
Flip through the digital 2023 Locals Love Us magazine for a full list of winners.
suzanne@thepicayune.com