“You know, most firefighters will tell you they love their job, or they have the job of their dreams — you hear stuff like that a lot. It’s still a job that can jump out of its box pretty quick and harm you.” - Chief Matt
First responders don’t always know what will make them relive a particular call. It might be driving down a certain road, the smell of burnt rubber and overheated brakes as the car in front of them screeches to a halt, or even something as simple as the way the sun is shining on a fall day that can spark memories from a specific incident. For Chief Matt, that trigger is an address.
Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with returning guest Matt, whose 30-year career began as a volunteer firefighter. Now a district chief, Matt recalls covering for a manager in the dispatch center the night a call came in for a fire at Kings Towers Apartments and receiving the crew's subsequent mayday call after a firefighter fell and was trapped in the apartment building's elevator shaft. Nearly eight years later, when he’s awakened in the firehouse by tones and an address – the address for Kings Towers – he can’t help but remember that first tragic evening and wonder what the same building in the apartment complex has in store for him and his team.
Check out Chief Matt’s first appearance on Stories From the Road here! You’ll also find other great episodes and bonus content at www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. Don’t forget to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen.