The Chicago Sun-Times published a compelling article that highlights the personal journey of a Chicago firefighter. Here's a rewritten and expanded version of the interview, presented in a more natural, human tone:
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The Chicago Sun-Times has an article that features the heartfelt story of a Chicago firefighter, sharing his experiences and reflections on life in the fire department.
"I didn’t grow up in a neighborhood with firefighters. I didn’t know any. A guy I knew from high school had a father who 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 over 35,000 applications, and about 25,000 people actually showed up for the test. The odds were really slim."
"I was lucky enough to be called in the second class, which was a year later. At first, I thought I’d get some training before being thrown into real action, but no—right away, you’re out there doing the job."
"The first few calls are the most nerve-wracking. But after a while, you start to feel more comfortable. Even though your adrenaline still kicks in when you see a fire or get a tough call, you learn to push through and do what needs to be done."
"My first fire was pretty intense. We were a single-engine company, and I had only been on the street for about three months. I started in a slower area, handling car accidents, train derailments, and hazardous material incidents. But I hadn’t seen my first fire yet. Three months in, I finally got my first call. Flames, heavy smoke, and a single engine. We were waiting for another truck to help ventilate before we could go in."
"It was pitch black when we arrived. All I saw was red. There was so much adrenaline, so much excitement. You want to perform well, not make mistakes, and just get the job done. When it’s over, you feel on top of the world for a couple of days. You did your part, and you feel like you earned your paycheck."
"Firefighting isn’t always easy. Some days you have good fires, and others you come up short, feeling exhausted and needing relief. But every day that you can come home to your family is a good day."
"In 2002, I was at a high-rise fire. We forced entry on the 14th floor, and the wind was strong that day. It turned into a wind-driven fire that roared down the hallway. We were on the landing with about eight of us, and I was at the front. When we opened the door, someone was behind it. We tried to get them out, but the fire surged like a torch. We had to abandon the floor to avoid more injuries. I ended up with second- and third-degree burns from just above my knees to halfway up my thighs. I needed skin grafts and spent 10 days in the hospital. That was definitely the worst day of my career."
"When I came back to work, the first fire I responded to after that was hard. I had to mentally get over what had happened. But in many ways, it helped me. Now I’m more aware of the dangers and better at spotting them. Before, I never really thought about it."
"I’ve seen a lot of tragedy. People don’t always make it. But I’ve also saved lives—brought people down ladders, pulled them out of burning buildings, even found people under trains. I’ve seen drowning victims and witnessed terrible accidents. Over time, you become desensitized, but it never gets easier."
"Before I was married and had kids, seeing kids in danger didn’t hit me as hard. Now, with two young children, I think about them every time I see a child in trouble. It’s different now."
"I remember the first time I did CPR on someone. I always asked, “Did they make it?†And I was surprised when they didn’t. That’s just the reality 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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