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Profile of a CFD firefighter
The *Chicago Sun-Times* published a compelling article highlighting the personal journey of a Chicago firefighter. In the piece, he shares his experiences, emotions, and the challenges that come with the job.
"I didn’t grow up in a neighborhood with firefighters. I didn’t know any. A guy I knew from high school, his father was a lieutenant on the fire department, but it wasn’t until I saw they were hiring in 1995 that I even considered it. There were 35,000 applications and around 25,000 people showed up for the test. The odds were really slim."
"I was lucky enough to get called in the second class, which was a year later. I thought maybe I’d be training for a while before getting into real action, but no — as soon as you hit the street, you’re doing the job."
"The first few calls are always the most nerve-wracking. After that, you start to get comfortable. Even though your adrenaline still kicks in when you see a fire or hear a call, you learn to push through and do what needs to be done."
"I remember my first fire. We were a single-engine company, and I had only been on the job for about three months. I started out in a slower area, responding to car accidents, train derailments, and hazardous material incidents. But I hadn’t seen my first fire yet. So three months in, I got my first call — flames, heavy smoke, and a single engine. We were waiting for another truck to help ventilate before we could move in."
"It was pitch black when we turned the corner, and all I saw was red. There was a lot of adrenaline, a lot of excitement. You want to perform, to make sure you don’t mess up. And once it’s over, you feel on top of the world. You did your job, earned your paycheck."
"Sometimes the fires go well, and other times, you just can’t keep going. You feel exhausted and need relief. But every day that you come home to your family is a good day."
"In 2002, I was at a high-rise fire. When we forced entry on the 14th floor, the wind was strong, and the fire roared down the hallway like a torch. We had about eight of us on that landing, and I was the one who forced the door. Someone was behind it, and we tried to get them out. But the fire moved fast, and we had to abandon the floor to avoid more injuries. I ended up with second- and third-degree steam burns from above my knees to halfway up my thighs. I needed skin grafts and spent ten days in the hospital. That was probably the worst day of my career."
"When I returned to work, the first fire after that was tough. There was a mental hurdle to overcome. But I think it helped me in many ways. Now I’m more aware of dangers and can spot them better than before."
"I’ve seen a lot of sad things — people who didn’t make it, kids in trouble, drowning victims. Over time, you get desensitized. But when I had my own kids, it changed everything. If I see a child in danger now, it hits harder. I think of my own kids."
"I remember the first time I did CPR on someone. I always asked if they made it, and I was surprised when they didn’t. That’s just part of the job. You can’t save everyone."
"I truly love coming to work. If you can do a job and not feel like it’s work, you’re living a good life."
Thanks, Dan.
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Profile of a CFD firefighter