Excerpts from wgntv.com:
Battalion Chief Jimmy O’Donnell, the longest-serving Chicago firefighter on the job is calling it a career after 41 years. Born and raised in Chicago, being in the fire service is all he ever wanted to do. He’d stay on if he could, but he’s reached the day of mandatory retirement.
With coronavirus and protests, the battalion chief has had a lot of action in his final year. He said it’s all part of the job.
Starting in 1979, he’s been a witness to some of the biggest events in CFD history, including the excruciating heat wave in the summer of 1995 that claimed hundreds of lives.
O’Donnell suffered an injury on the job that cost him an eye. He could have taken disability and retired, but chose not to.
In the wake of 9/11, he joined other CFD firefighters in New York City . Some were left with PTSD from what they saw. “When I first got on, there wasn’t much help for PTSD. Getting help, we talk among each other over a beer. Now, we have a great program that will help us if we need it,” he said. “They are kicking me out. I’ll be 63 on Flag Day and that’s when we gotta go.”
