Firefighter/EMT Michael F. Roche is a 32-year veteran of the Highland Park (Ill.) Fire Department. He also is an accomplished sculptor, creating pieces for Warner Brothers, MGM, Pillsbury, Enesco and the Bradford Exchange. Roche specializes in sports and firefighters figures and is the creator of the "Take Command" sculpture that is presented to FIRE CHIEF magazine's Chief of the Year award recipients.

Which came first, becoming an artist or a firefighter?

I went to Elmira College (in New York) to become an artist and play hockey. My degree was in art education with a minor in physical education. I worked as a sculptor and hockey coach during my summers off.

After graduation, I worked as a sculptor and mold-maker for Burwood Products and coached the Chicago Minor Hawks hockey team. I really missed the action and excitement of playing college hockey, so after working six months at Burwood, and having several outside commissions, I was ready to start my own business. I wanted the security of a regular pay check and found the fire department as a perfect balance for myself — being part of a team again with a lot more action than a 9-to-5 job and enough time off to start my business. The more I learned and grew with the fire department, the more I liked it.

How much research do you do on the pieces you create?

Every piece I make requires intense research. I need to know as much or more about the subject matter than the customer does in order to have a successful series. I will do research at the library, on the Internet, talk to people that know or have personal insights on the person or subject matter and interview experts in the field. I review pictures of the person, their surroundings, tools, equipment and accessories.

How long does it take to create a sculpture and what materials are your sculptures made from?

It takes two to three months after my research is done to sculpt a piece. As far as the final product, it depends on what market I am going for. The “Wizard of Oz” series is made in cold-cast porcelain. The fire-department series I have is mostly used for retirements, anniversary gifts and awards and needs to show significance. It's made of fine pewter or bronze. Most of my sports series are produced in pewter or bronze whether it be the Naismith Award, Old Tom Morris Award or the USA Hockey Awards — all are given out for lifetime achievements

What was in your mind when you created the “Take Command” piece?

When doing the fire series, I really wanted to show the key areas covered by the firefighter — nozzle man, ventilation, rescue and extrication. When I started the Taking Command piece I wanted to emphasize that fire chiefs and officers were guys with years of firefighting experience as well as schooling. Showing him in gear with a radio in one hand and an ax in the other stepping over a hose line with a nozzle puts him at the scene and tells a story.

What other sports have you created pieces for?

I have created several golf sculptures, Old Tom Morris being the most popular. I enjoy sculpting the legends of sports like Harry Vardon, Willie Park, football's Red Grange and Jim Thorpe, basketball's founder James Naismith and several other baseball and hockey pieces.