Editor’s note: On November 8 it was announced five members of the Amboy Fire Department received promotions. The Nov. 29 edition of The Amboy News featured the first promotion story. This is the third as we get to know each of the promoted individuals a little better.  We thank them and all members of the AFD for their service and show gratitude of what they do for Amboy.

AMBOY – Demi Becker wears a lot of hats.

On her hat rack is her Becker Detailing cap where she is a co-owner with Kevin Glenn.

In some form of beanie, bowler, or sombrero, Becker is in realty as she owns 10 properties in Amboy.

And maybe the heaviest in the collection is her Amboy Fire Department helmet.

“I came across the fire department in high school. It was my junior year, and the fire department came to the school and presented a mock prom incident,” said Becker, an Amboy native who graduated from Amboy High School in 2016. “They do it for kids to see what can happen if they drink and drive. I saw them extricate my classmates out of a car and I thought, ‘It would be cool to do that.’ I thought it was cool to help people in that way.

“I had a friend who was part of the department and I talked to her about it. I found interest and started the same year.”

Becker joined the department during her senior year and was a regular at the station until she left in 2018 to obtain a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Northern Illinois.

Once she put her college graduation cap on the rack, she returned to AFD in 2022 as both a fire fighter and EMT.

Although she spends as much time as she can at the Amboy Fire Department, she didn’t think a promotion or a title such as lieutenant was going to come her way like it did on Nov. 8.

“It means a lot to me. I didn’t really see it coming. I’m pretty happy about it. With the promotion, I think more EMS stuff is going to come my way in terms of training and mentoring cadets,” Becker said. “I’m part of both fire and EMS. I really like the fire stuff, but I appreciate the EMS side. When I first joined, I wanted to do both. I did my basic operations for firefighting in high school. I did a dual enrollment at AHS and with the fire department.

“I like being able to help people and the community. Being part of the department, I’ve become close to some of the others who are involved. I love it. The Amboy Fire Department is like a family. I have a lot of friends here, now. I enjoy my time being at the station.”

Her roles as a vehicle detailer, landlord, and member of the fire department have not only added numbers to her hat rack, but her buddy list has seen an increase as well.

Helping people, more friends, and keeping busy, it’s a win-win-win for Becker.

“I know a lot of people around town because of detailing. I go on calls where I know people,” Becker said. “I’ve been here my entire life. My dad, Dennis Becker, owned Becker Autobody for 35 years. I’ve helped people and they’ve told me they felt more comfortable because they knew who was helping them.”