Answering the Call: Michael Roden’s Lifelong Commitment to Community
As part of our Avangrid in the Community series, we’re shining the spotlight on employees who generously give their time and energy to passions that drive them.
When the phone rings and a 911 call comes through in Owego, New York, chances are Michael Roden is on the way. By day, Michael is a Health and Safety Lead Analyst at New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), where he works to keep employees safe. But outside of his day job, he wears another hat as Chief of Operations at the Owego Emergency Squad.
Michael Roden
For Michael, service is not just a career path, it is a lifelong calling. Michael’s story began when he was just 16 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, who volunteered in fire and EMS. “I thought it was pretty neat, helping people,” he recalls. He and his wife, who also earned her first responder certification as a teenager, met through their shared interest in emergency service. Over the years, both have stayed active in volunteer EMS and firefighting, raising children who also grew up in the world of service.
His career in volunteer emergency response spans decades, from working with the Apalachin Fire Department, where he eventually became Fire Chief, to serving with the Southside Fire Department and now the Owego Emergency Squad. In 2019, he joined Owego EMS, an agency that answers more than 1,700 calls each year. It wasn’t long before his leadership and experience were recognized, and last year he was appointed Chief of Operations.
“It’s about keeping the wheels on the bus moving,” Michael says. “Making sure when a call comes in, the people and equipment are ready to go.”
The Owego Emergency Squad isn’t only about responding to emergencies. Michael and his team are a visible presence in the community. They cover high school football games, bring ambulances to “touch-a-truck” school events, provide standby medical support at the Tioga County Fair, and participate in National Night Out alongside the local police department.
“It’s important for the community to see us outside of emergencies,” Michael explains. “We want kids and families to feel comfortable around us, to know who we are and what we do.”
That visibility helps build trust and it also inspires future generations. Just as Michael once rode his bike to the firehouse as a teenager eager to learn, today’s young people get to see firsthand the impact of volunteering in their hometown.
The Rewards and Challenges of Service
Michael has seen it all, from routine calls to life-saving moments. He recalls the year his squad had two successful CPR saves. “To know you played a role in keeping someone alive, that’s what it’s all about,” he says.
But volunteering comes with challenges, especially as fewer people have the time to commit. “Back in the 1990s, there were more volunteers,” he says. “Now, with both parents working and busy schedules, it’s harder for people to step in.” That makes the dedication of volunteers like Michael even more essential.
For him, it’s worth the long hours. “My wife says it’s like my second full-time job,” he admits with a laugh. “But it’s rewarding to know the community is safer because of the work we do.”
Michael isn’t alone in this commitment. Avangrid, NYSEG’s parent company, encourages employees to give back through its Energized for Good program. The initiative supports volunteerism by donating to nonprofit organizations where employees serve. For every hour an employee volunteers at an eligible organization, the Avangrid Foundation donates $15 to that organization – up to $1,500 (or 100 volunteer hours) per employee.
For Michael and the Owego Emergency Squad, that support makes a difference. “It’s a nice plus for the agency to be able to get some money in their pocket for me going and volunteering,” he explains. The program not only amplifies the impact of employee volunteers but also strengthens community organizations that depend on donations and local support.
When asked what advice he’d give someone considering volunteering, Michael doesn’t hesitate. “It takes the whole community to make the community work. Everybody needs to chip in, whether it’s EMS, the fire department, or even walking dogs at the shelter. Volunteering is what makes the world go around.”
For him, leadership is about planting seeds, teaching, mentoring, and preparing the next generation. “I’m not going to be doing this forever,” he says. “So, I try to pass on as much as I can, because someday someone else will be in my shoes.”
Michael’s story is proof that one person can make a lasting difference when they answer the call. Whether saving lives, mentoring volunteers, or showing up at a community fair, his commitment embodies what it means to serve. And for the people of Owego, his dedication makes their village a safer, stronger place to call home.
