24: What Can Happen in A Day

By Michael Ford Jr.

24-What Can Happen In A Day... Most people know that firefighting is an incredibly dangerous profession. The popular perception of firefighters is that they are fearless heroes who put their lives on the line to rescue people from burning buildings. That perception is mostly true. But there is so much more about firefighters and their community labor that is rarely revealed. 24-What Can Happen in a Day is a brilliant, intimate look into the daily lives of firefighters, from the experiences of Michael Ford Jr., who rose through the ranks from raw recruit to assistant fire chief. You will ride along with Chief Ford as he unveils the most interesting, disturbing, and adventurous firefighter escapades. You'll laugh and wince in sympathy as Ford offers you a behind the scenes view into a world of secrets, failures, misfortune, exhilaration and triumph. You will cheer as you are encouraged to transcend perceived limitations to advance in life. And more than anything, you'll be enthralled as you experience the inspiring, tragic, shocking, best and worst of humanity come to life, compelling you to treasure your family and friends with a more significant expression.Hilarious, profound, and deeply moving... this is a thrill ride you'll never forget.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Jul 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781977202062

Michael Ford Jr.

Michael Ford Jr. has served as a Professional Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician for 23 years. He has earned multiple promotions, ascending to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and holding the position of Assistant Chief. Chief Ford has served his community for over 25 years, founding and directing numerous local programs and organizations. Including, the nationally recognized youth education program C.A.N. (Children Against Negativity) and the professional development and entrepreneurial organization Master Builders Academy. He is an international speaker of organizational leadership, community building, and youth empowerment. He has been married for 21 years to Andrea Ford, his high school sweetheart. They have five children: Michael III, Sarah, Josiah, Judah, and Matthew.

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24

What Can Happen in A Day

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2018 Michael Ford Jr.

v4.0

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

Names, dates, places, and incidents in this book have been changed. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Promise Land Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-9772-0206-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018948136

Illustrations © 2018 James Shipley. All rights reserved - used with permission.

Author Photo © 2018 Shantel Pettway. All rights reserved - used with permission.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dedications

I dedicate this book to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with such an honorable and adventurous profession, and for His protection of all the brave men and women that serve their communities as firefighters and first responders, and all of the staff and family members who support them.

I dedicate this book to all the men and women that I served with during my 23-year career in the Louisville Fire Department, and especially Chief Gregory Fredrick who showed great confidence in me.

I dedicate this book to my wife and high school sweetheart Andrea, and to my sons and daughters who were always my motivation and inspiration.

I dedicate this book to my mother Wanda and father Michael Sr., who always encouraged and prayed for me, and whom I always endeavored to make proud.

I dedicate this book to my siblings Melissa, Mark, Scott, Candice, Shannon, John, Joy, Michelle, Stephen, Cory, Nicole, Larry, Shandy, Kim & Tonia.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Anything Can Happen in 24 Hours

Chapter 1: My First Day

Chapter 2: Fire Academy

Chapter 3: Training Days

Chapter 4: Lights and Sirens!

Chapter 5: My First Firehouse Family

Chapter 6: Final Moments

Chapter 7: Firefighter Comedy

Chapter 8: Gun Fires

Chapter 9: Animal Planet

Chapter 10: Domestic Encounters

Chapter 11: Anatomy

Chapter 12: Courage, Duty, Dedication, Honor, Infidelity

Chapter 13: Rescue Rangers

Chapter 14: What Can Happen In A Day

Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

"Anything Can Happen

in 24 Hours"

In late winter of 1994, I marched into the office of the Assistant Chief of the Louisville Fire Department to interview for a job. I had on my pin-striped blue suit with my solid red necktie, a white button-down French-cuffed shirt with a pair of gold cuff links, and to top it all off, I was walking in my dad’s black highly polished wingtip church shoes. That’s right, I was in my full power suit! Clean-shaven, too; I was here to impress, I was here for the job. I was twenty years old, a physical specimen of manliness, and with the ego to match. Here I was, going after one of the most coveted and respected professions on the planet, and in Louisville, a great-paying job with benefits. As I stepped through the interview door, I put on my championship smile, mainly to hide the fear and trepidation raging within me.

I stuck out my hand to the assistant chief. Good morning, sir. My name is Michael Ford, and I’m here to become a firefighter.

That old cuss just stared me down with utter contempt and disgust, as if he was trying to peer into my soul to see all of my inner workings. And without shaking my hand, he said sternly, Just sit down!

Now, every piece of real confidence and every ounce of the fake poise and self-assurance that I was trying to exude was fast escaping from my body, seeping through my pores in the form of perspiration. Just as I was destined to sink into the folds of this chair like the Titanic sank into the Atlantic, the other interviewer that was sitting behind the desk, a female with the rank of major, gave me the most beautiful, reassuring, sun on a cloudy day smile. Without words, she told me, Calm down, everything will be just fine. And on that note, the interview began.

The assistant chief and the major both asked me quite a number of open-ended questions; you know--describe your strengths and weaknesses; how well do you work in a team; what would you do in this or that situation; etc. And I was, without trying to be too braggadocious, knocking these questions clear out of the park. The southern charm had kicked in and I was finally winning them over to my side.

All of a sudden, that old chief asked me a question that I hadn’t properly thought through. He said, Michael, why do you want to be a fireman? And don’t give me that bull-crap about how you’ve dreamed about being a fireman since you were a baby!

So I pondered for a minute. I thought, This guy isn’t going to allow me to give him some simpleton answer off the top of my head like I just need a good job. No, this question actually required some introspection. Why did this profession interest me? It was true that I hadn’t wanted to be a fireman all of my life.

I flashed back over the last two years of my life since graduating from high school. I have been working in the local air packaging hub, sorting and loading packages into these white igloo containers all day, five days a week. It was a job that paid just above minimum wage. Though it was good, honest work, it lacked purpose; it was repetitive, routine, unimaginative; it was downright boring. Every person that I worked with hated their job; they absolutely despised the smell of the place. Even I found it to be a genuine chore to come in every day.

Then, eureka, it hit me. There were five firemen who were members of the same church that I attended. These guys, at some time over the past two years, had encouraged me to apply for the fire department. In every conversation, each of them would highlight the particular segments of the job that they enjoyed the most.

Firefighter Eric told me about how dangerous the job was, the sheer adrenaline rush that comes when that bell sounds, sliding down a pole from the 2nd floor, racing to the fire truck, donning a full set of gear in less than a minute, jumping in the truck, legally speeding down any street, pulling up to a house that has flames pouring out of the windows, crowds of people screaming, and you have been trained and prepared to save the day.

Firefighter Melvyn explained to me how going to work at the firehouse is like coming home. When you arrive, there will be a group of men and women there, family, whom you are going to spend the rest of the day and night with, laughing, joking, eating, playing, and eventually going into battle with. You will mourn personal loss together, and you will celebrate every personal win together.

Firefighter Billy enlightened me concerning the serious commitment to service involved in being a fireman. You are going to find yourself in some tough spots, where that fire and heat are laying down on top of you, and your inner voice will question why in the world you signed up for this? The thing that will keep you going is your commitment to saving lives, and your commitment to being there for your firefighter brothers and sisters.

When I listened to these guys talk about their job, it was unlike anything that I had ever heard. I mean really, when was the last time you heard someone boast about how much they loved their job? When was the last time somebody told you, I can’t wait to get to work each day and was genuinely enthusiastic and proud of the work they do daily? I realized that something was very special about this firefighting gig. After hearing from these guys, I was almost convinced, but not yet. I wasn’t fully persuaded until Firefighter Jason gave it to me simple and plain.

Michael, he said, most people hate their jobs for one reason--their job is meaningless and boring! They do the same thing every single day for thirty or forty years; the monotony is killing them. Michael, do you want to know what makes the fire department so great?

I was thinking, Yeah, hurry up and tell me.

Then he said something that really stimulated my young and impressionable mind. We work a 24-hour shift, one day at work and two days off. And Michael, in those 24 hours, anything can happen!

I interrupted. What do you mean, anything?

He continued, In the fire department there are no two days alike. Every day is different and will present new incidents, diverse challenges, and an array of issues that will stretch and broaden you as a human being. You will see and experience situations that are so strange and out of the ordinary that most people couldn’t even imagine! The fire profession is an adventure!

As all of this flashed through my memory in an instant, I answered the old chief. "Yes, I want to be a fireman so that I can help people, and because it pays well, because of the brotherhood, but mostly because I want to be able to come to work each morning with the excitement and nervousness of the unknown, the thrill of facing extraordinary circumstances, and knowing that today, in these 24 hours, anything can happen!

That old chief cracked a crooked smile at me, as he sat on the other side of his desk, and said, Mr. Ford, that’s why I’m still here. And with that, he stood up, and shook my hand. A few weeks later I received an offer of employment letter in the mail, stating that I was to start the Fire Academy in April.

CHAPTER 1

My First Day

In the spring of 1995, I was officially initiated into the professional fire service. I was to report to the Fire Training Academy at 0800 hours (that’s 8 a.m. for you civilians). What a terrific morning! Yesterday I was a lowly package handler (nothing wrong with that), but today, I am a 21-year-old professional firefighter. I am a distinguished man in the community, on top of the world, the cream of the crop, the image of Courage, Duty, Dedication, Honor (the Louisville Fire motto). As I arrive and stroll from the parking lot toward the Academy, trying to take it all in, a fine older gentleman in his fire department uniform, with his gold badge glistening in the early morning sun, is holding the door open for me. I think, Wow, this Academy stuff is really going to be nice .

As I get closer to the entrance, that fine gentleman yells out at me and the young man walking directly behind me, Hey, you stupid freakin new boys--run your butts in here; you are freakin late! (He actually used a more derogatory word than freakin.) As I start into a complete run toward the door, I look at my watch and confirm that I am actually forty minutes early. So when I come through the door I respond to the gentleman that it was my understanding that we were to report to the Academy at 0800 hours, and that it was just now 7:20 a.m. He responds with, New Boy, this is the fire department; if you want to show up at your own pace, then go be a mailman. Around here, you are to be in your seat at least an hour before 0800 hours.

As I hurry to find my assigned seat among the thirty other recruits, I try to brush off this first fire department mishap. While I am working to get myself settled, somebody hollers from the rear of the room, Everybody up! Immediately, everyone in the room stands to attention as our commanding officer walks into the room. Captain T, is a gigantic, 6-foot-5-inch man with a bullhorn in his throat. He might as well be Mr. T, because he has the ominous, intimidating presence to match. Captain T stands behind the podium and with his softest voice he makes the hair of the two recruits sitting directly in front of me stand up on their heads as if they are riding on the expressway in a convertible.

He begins his first speech to us by explaining to us just how brainless and unintelligent all of us are; how he considers it a miracle of God that we all have made it one whole hour without already being fired. He goes on to clarify how and why none of us are worthy to be called firemen, let alone Louisville Firemen. As he points his giant finger at all of us he says, Don’t you dare tell another person in this community that you are a fireman; you are not firemen, you are just recruits! If you survive the next five and a half months of this academy, then you will be a Louisville Firefighter.

That’s when he notices that some of the guys have purchased some fire department t-shirts and worn them to class. Captain T blows up! Take those shirts off right now, he says, as now all of our hairs are standing up in the wind of his voice. So from that day forward, we wear jerseys that just have a number on them. I am no longer Michael; my new name is Red 4, or New Boy for short. This morning I felt so proud and professional, but now UPS package handler seems so much more respectable. And like ¹Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz, I realize I’m not in Kansas anymore; this fire department stuff is going to be extremely challenging.

Immediately following the morning address and all of the personnel introductions, Captain T informs us that there is someone special he wants to introduce us to before we go any further in the day. The other training officers scream at us to get up, and they march us quickly outside to the large five-story concrete training tower. We stand at attention as Captain T walks up to the front to address all of us. He says with an evil grin to the thirty recruits, New Boys, I want to introduce you all to the Plum Lady; you will be spending a lot of quality time with her. I want you two to get well acquainted.

We all look with a great deal of bewilderment as he gently strokes this attached, seven- story, faded purple, metal ladder, that goes straight up the side of the building. Uh-oh. I understand. The Plum Lady is their first form of torturing us. Captain T states that this Lady is going to teach us how to properly ascend and descend tall buildings. For some reason, my ²Spider Man senses have me feeling like the ³Karate Kid in Mr. Miyagi’s back yard. I think we’re about to do a lot of Wax on, and wax off before we actually learn how to fight fire.

Sure enough, Captain T screams, Alright boys, up and over! Just before we begin our ascent, the training officers blow up a large red and yellow safety airbag and place it next to the building. It’s about 12 feet wide and 12 feet long; it’s a so-called safety measure, to catch us if we happen to slip and fall. Don’t you New Boys get any ideas about falling off this ladder and this airbag catching you! It’s only rated for a fall of up to the three stories, and you are going up past the seventh floor, and on to the roof! Captain T shouts.

I am among the first group to go up and over. The first time up is refreshing, even a bit exhilarating. Hey, climbing tall buildings, this is real fireman stuff. But the second and third time up, not so much; your thighs really start to burn, your breathing is a little more labored, and your forearms really begin to cramp. Then Captain T says, Two more times! Now, my back, my hands, my feet, and my shoulders join the other parts of my body that are screaming for relief, and I am no longer sure I put antiperspirant under my arms. Alright, Red Team--that’s enough, next group, whistles Captain T.

None too soon, either; I don’t think I could have climbed one more rung. The yellow team starts up for their first climb. As they near the top of the Plum Lady, their progress comes to a complete stop. Captain T hollers, What the hell is the holdup, Yellow Team? There he is, Yellow 8, scared to death as he hugs with both arms the 5th-floor section of the Plum Lady ladder. He won’t say a word, even as all of the training officers and the other recruits try to encourage him to continue. Then without warning, Yellow 8 pushes off the rails of the Plum Lady and swan-dives backwards off the 5th-floor section of the tower! Everything was so still and quiet, you could have heard a rat licking ice. I would like to tell you that it was like he fell in slow motion, but a man falling five stories happens in a blink of an eye.

Yellow 8 smashes into that airbag, you know, the one that is only rated for a fall of up to the third floor. He totally collapses that bag! All the training officers scurry over to unravel the airbag that has wrapped around him, and to see if he is still alive. Do you remember how when you were young and did something really dumb that could have really hurt you, how worried your parents were? Until the moment they realize that you are alright--then they want to kill you. That’s how this is. Those training officers surely feel the weight of responsibility on their shoulders. Will they have a recruit killed on the first day of training? No, Yellow 8 has survived, unscathed from a fifth floor backwards decent off of the Plum Lady. Unbelievable! What is also unbelievable in that moment is all the colorful, descriptive names that the training officers are able to conjure up to describe their feelings of Yellow 8. I think, This guy is surely fired, but after they have given him a good cussing, they inquire why he jumped. Yellow 8 says that he jumped because he was afraid of heights. Apparently, this guy has not properly researched his chosen profession, which shouldn’t have been too hard to do. A five-year-old can tell you that firemen climb ladders!

Well, Captain T grabs Yellow 8 by the shoulders and says, Son, do you want to be a fireman?

Yellow 8 nods his head in agreement. Then get back in line with your group, and the next time you fall off a ladder, you better have a rung in your hand or you can consider yourself fired before you hit the ground!

Yellow 8 says, Yes, sir and jogs back to his place in line to go back over the Plum Lady. The training officers set the airbag