The following article is from the Fall 2008 issue of Pontiac Performance magazine, the original content is no longer available online. It was written by Susan Brohman of the GM Magazine Group.

AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER and EMS volunteer, Stephen Cramer knows a quick response saves lives.

With help from his 2007 Grand Prix GXP, the 24-year-old Tabernacle, N.J., resident can arrive at the Medford Township firehouse in time to help those in need.

While searching to replace his 1999 Buick Regal Gran Sport, Cramer wanted a performance vehicle but figured he needed the practicality of an SUV. Then he spotted the GXP.

“When I started it and I heard that low gurgle, I was hooked,” he recalls. “That exhaust note makes me smile whenever I step on the gas pedal. Then I did some homework and realized it was a better car for me than the Volvo S60R, Audi S4 or Acura TSX.”

The rear fold-down seat was enough to convince Cramer that the Grand Prix had all the versatility he needed.

“I had always wanted a V8 performance car, but never saw them as practical enough to get away with as an everyday car. The looks of the car, combined with the V8 and the fact that someone at GM realized I had to use it for almost everything I do, made it for me,” says Cramer, who recently joined clubgp.com, an online enthusiasts’ community.

“I also love the rims and the brake package the GM performance gurus chose to put on this car,” he says, adding “that coupled with the suspension makes it a real fun car to pitch into a corner.”

With rising gas prices, Cramer appreciates the V8’s Active Fuel Management system.

“I’m getting almost 20 mpg around town and 24-25 mpg [highway] on long trips out of a V8,” he says.

Although his family has a long history of firefighter service, Cramer first caught the fire bug while hanging out with a high school friend at the Medford firehouse.

“I, unlike many up there, was not around the firehouse as a kid, so it took me a little longer to find it,” he says. “But now that I’m there, I love doing it.”

Another friend encouraged Cramer to add EMT training to his résumé.

“Firefighting and EMT work fit hand in hand most times,” he explains. “We may cut the person out of the car as a firefighter, but then we have to fix them as much as possible to get them to the hospital as EMTs.”

When he’s not saving lives, Cramer prefers to be in the classroom teaching. A 2007 graduate of Rider University with a degree in Elementary Education and History, Cramer is seeking a full-time teaching position.

“Watching a student grow academically and socially while you have him or her in your class is the biggest thrill,” says Cramer, who has substituted in classrooms in every grade level from kindergarten to 8th grade.

“I have found middle school not only to be the most challenging, but also the most rewarding,” he states. “I think much of that has to do with the fact that you have to address their social growth as much, if not more than, their academic growth some days. But once you have convinced your students you care about them as people, they are so much more willing to go with you wherever you ask them academically.”

An elder at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Cramer also oversees Christian education, where his duties include teaching a preschool Sunday School class.

Cramer credits his parents, his church and his small-town neighbors for teaching him about looking out for others.

“I guess that’s why I’ve gotten into so many service careers. Although having a ‘teacher desk’ and a ‘shiny red fire truck’ didn’t hurt,” he laughs.