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Parnell: I wish my head could
forget what my eyes have seen
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00:00:43,502 --> 00:00:45,630
in 32 years of firefighting.
3
00:00:51,260 --> 00:00:52,853
Interviewer: Why do you do this?
4
00:00:53,428 --> 00:00:53,519
Miller: We love...
5
00:00:54,054 --> 00:00:55,556
I love my job.
6
00:00:56,306 --> 00:01:02,234
It does... it's something
with adrenaline
7
00:01:03,063 --> 00:01:04,781
that gets you pumped up (alarm).
8
00:01:05,357 --> 00:01:06,654
And here we go!
9
00:01:21,248 --> 00:01:23,342
Woman: (screams).
10
00:02:37,908 --> 00:02:40,627
Woman: Got to regroup, keep it
moving, that's the best I can do.
11
00:02:57,552 --> 00:03:02,353
Craig: That right there times
30 a night, times 30 years,
12
00:03:02,933 --> 00:03:10,863
is how you burn a city
down... one at a time.
13
00:03:22,994 --> 00:03:25,417
Man: It was probably the most
beautiful city back in the day,
14
00:03:25,706 --> 00:03:27,379
you know, when there was
factories everywhere,
15
00:03:27,666 --> 00:03:29,259
there was people spending
money around here.
16
00:03:29,543 --> 00:03:30,590
The car industry was booming.
17
00:03:31,169 --> 00:03:34,719
Man: It was much easier
to get a job and it was more
18
00:03:35,298 --> 00:03:36,550
of a family atmosphere then.
19
00:03:37,134 --> 00:03:38,477
You didn't have to lock your doors.
20
00:03:40,971 --> 00:03:42,018
Man: I grew up in Detroit.
21
00:03:42,889 --> 00:03:47,065
I've seen the City change from
a nice, decent neighborhood
22
00:03:47,644 --> 00:03:51,649
to certain areas that just
look like bombs have hit them.
23
00:03:57,028 --> 00:03:59,656
Man: Most of the neighborhoods
are blighted, vacant lots.
24
00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:01,412
Next to vacant dwellings.
25
00:04:02,367 --> 00:04:06,713
Parnell: We've got probably
one, two, three, four...
26
00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:13,383
six, seven, eight vacants
on my block.
27
00:04:14,337 --> 00:04:17,841
Dennis: It kind of hurts me to see
the City getting destroyed like this,
28
00:04:18,425 --> 00:04:20,393
I feel like I'm in the
burning of Rome sometime.
29
00:04:32,856 --> 00:04:33,448
Man: Population loss, I've
watched it go from a city
30
00:04:34,024 --> 00:04:36,698
of one-point-eight million
to seven-hundred thousand,
31
00:04:37,277 --> 00:04:39,621
leaves a lot of vacant homes.
32
00:04:40,197 --> 00:04:48,127
Man: The bottom line is everybody
that can seems to be fleeing.
33
00:04:50,415 --> 00:04:54,545
Man: I mean, this has been
Katrina without the hurricane.
34
00:04:55,128 --> 00:04:56,630
Woman: Our city is
crumbling around us.
35
00:04:59,257 --> 00:05:02,261
Man: Imagine two-thirds of the
people in your city disappeared,
36
00:05:02,844 --> 00:05:05,518
but they left their houses,
their garbage, their furniture.
37
00:05:06,223 --> 00:05:07,224
Doogie: As long as
there's people leaving,
38
00:05:07,808 --> 00:05:10,357
as long as there's vacant
houses, there's going to be fires,
39
00:05:10,936 --> 00:05:15,032
it's called fire load,
there's more things to burn.
40
00:05:15,607 --> 00:05:18,201
Man: The neighborhood of our
district is, statistically,
41
00:05:18,777 --> 00:05:21,781
one of the worst places on
earth for crime, for poverty.
42
00:05:22,364 --> 00:05:23,661
Man: So they were shooting, too?
43
00:05:23,990 --> 00:05:24,115
Man: Came out right here.
44
00:05:24,699 --> 00:05:26,497
Woman: And the other
one was right there.
45
00:05:27,118 --> 00:05:29,871
Man: High murder rate,
high infant mortality rate.
46
00:05:31,456 --> 00:05:34,801
Reporter: Police telling me this is
not just a murder, but an execution.
47
00:05:35,377 --> 00:05:37,800
Man: Crimes that you never
would, in a million years,
48
00:05:38,380 --> 00:05:40,633
thought would happen
in your neighborhood.
49
00:05:46,388 --> 00:05:48,937
Woman: In the City of
Detroit last year alone,
50
00:05:49,516 --> 00:05:52,816
we had over 30,000 actual fire calls.
51
00:05:54,187 --> 00:05:57,657
I mean, we're in trouble,
we need help.
52
00:06:25,093 --> 00:06:26,060
Parnell: This don't have
nothing to do with the City,
53
00:06:26,636 --> 00:06:30,641
this is must my own
personal edge (alarm).
54
00:06:34,811 --> 00:06:40,489
My name is David
Parnell, I'm a FEO,
55
00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:42,910
Field Engine Operator,
for Engine Company 50.
56
00:06:43,486 --> 00:06:46,740
Craig: Dave Parnell and I
were hired about the same time,
57
00:06:47,324 --> 00:06:50,498
1977, great guy, solid guy.
58
00:06:51,077 --> 00:06:52,920
You feel safe when
he's behind the wheel.
59
00:06:53,496 --> 00:06:58,878
He'll get you water within 60
seconds of being on the fire drop.
60
00:06:59,461 --> 00:06:59,552
Parnell:That's my part.
61
00:07:00,128 --> 00:07:01,300
That's what I do.
62
00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,974
Craig:The soul, if you
will, of the firehouse.
63
00:07:04,549 --> 00:07:06,643
He's pretty well loved and
respected by everybody here.
64
00:07:07,093 --> 00:07:08,219
Chris: Dave is old (laughs).
65
00:07:08,511 --> 00:07:09,979
He has to retire.
66
00:07:10,555 --> 00:07:10,976
Man: He's like Papa Bear.
67
00:07:11,556 --> 00:07:13,934
He's in there, we catch him
nodding off in there a little bit.
68
00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:17,521
Man: He's watching an old
Western, black and white.
69
00:07:18,104 --> 00:07:19,151
It's okay, he's earned it.
70
00:07:21,816 --> 00:07:23,534
Miller: Sometimes, I
just need a little Parnell.
71
00:07:23,818 --> 00:07:24,944
Parnell: What is a man's worth
72
00:07:25,236 --> 00:07:27,330
that doesn't make the
world a better place?
73
00:07:27,906 --> 00:07:31,126
What's a gang besides a
family looking for a home?
74
00:07:31,910 --> 00:07:33,002
Think about it.
75
00:07:33,578 --> 00:07:35,672
Jeff: My favorite
one is when he says,
76
00:07:36,247 --> 00:07:37,749
"I wish my mind could forget
what my eyes have seen..."
77
00:07:38,333 --> 00:07:39,209
Parnell: Could forget
what my eyes have seen.
78
00:07:39,793 --> 00:07:41,295
Miller: We call it
bullshit (laughter).
79
00:07:41,836 --> 00:07:42,462
Craig: Yeah!
80
00:07:42,754 --> 00:07:43,220
(laughter).
81
00:07:43,505 --> 00:07:44,427
Man: But it is comforting.
82
00:07:44,756 --> 00:07:45,006
Man: It is totally comforting.
83
00:07:45,590 --> 00:07:47,263
Man: Well, never get that from Dan.
84
00:07:47,842 --> 00:07:48,638
Dave: Come on Dave,
I need some bullshit.
85
00:07:49,219 --> 00:07:51,267
Man: You're going to get
some bullshit from Parnell.
86
00:07:52,806 --> 00:07:53,307
Parnell: You know, I've
been here so long, you know,
87
00:07:53,890 --> 00:07:56,814
you feel like a fixture,
thirty-three years.
88
00:07:57,811 --> 00:07:59,688
Yeah, thirty-three
years of firefighting,
89
00:08:01,314 --> 00:08:05,660
I have eight months left, and
then I'll retire, I'll be 60.
90
00:08:07,153 --> 00:08:08,450
Interviewer: Are you ready to go?
91
00:08:08,738 --> 00:08:11,662
Parnell: Absolutely...
no, not at all.
92
00:08:15,829 --> 00:08:17,752
This is my neighborhood,
this is where I live,
93
00:08:18,331 --> 00:08:19,457
this is where I fight my fires.
94
00:08:19,958 --> 00:08:22,211
You used to could walk
in this neighborhood.
95
00:08:22,794 --> 00:08:26,640
Well, now, you're pretty much
afraid to walk to the corner.
96
00:08:27,215 --> 00:08:27,886
This is where some
97
00:08:28,466 --> 00:08:32,096
of the firefighters lived
and grew up, right here.
98
00:08:33,805 --> 00:08:38,106
And now look at it, that
was a fire job right there,
99
00:08:38,685 --> 00:08:41,313
you can tell by the soot that
was in the front of the dwelling.
100
00:08:42,313 --> 00:08:44,065
We've been to that
apartment building over there,
101
00:08:44,357 --> 00:08:45,199
at least a half-a-dozen
times that I know of.
102
00:08:45,775 --> 00:08:47,777
We actually saved a young
man out of this one, 18011,
103
00:08:48,069 --> 00:08:48,319
actually saved a young man
104
00:08:48,903 --> 00:08:49,995
out of that one.
105
00:08:50,572 --> 00:08:55,043
When you look around the City,
you look at the burnt-out homes.
106
00:08:55,618 --> 00:08:59,919
That's when you get this
attitude, "This is no good."
107
00:09:01,374 --> 00:09:04,503
And I don't understand it, I'm
not going to understand it.
108
00:09:05,086 --> 00:09:10,058
If you live in the community in which
you work, how do you not do something
109
00:09:10,633 --> 00:09:11,976
for the people that are around you?
110
00:09:12,427 --> 00:09:15,601
You have an opportunity
to make change.
111
00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:22,438
Dispatcher: Report
of a growing fire...
112
00:09:23,271 --> 00:09:25,365
Man: Ninety-five percent
of what I do is arson.
113
00:09:27,817 --> 00:09:29,740
Very rarely do we have
a legitimate fire (siren).
114
00:09:37,494 --> 00:09:37,665
Woman:The building's on fire!
115
00:09:38,244 --> 00:09:39,336
We can't get out!
116
00:09:41,206 --> 00:09:42,799
Man: Somebody went in
through the back door,
117
00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:44,505
went upstairs, and
they lit the place.
118
00:09:45,794 --> 00:09:49,048
Man:You go up stairs you can smell
some kind of accelerant or something.
119
00:09:53,885 --> 00:09:56,183
Lewis: I can't picture
another city that's like this
120
00:09:56,763 --> 00:09:58,265
where so many of the fires are arson.
121
00:09:58,848 --> 00:10:06,027
It's beyond me why people would
want to burn their own city down.
122
00:10:06,606 --> 00:10:07,823
Craig:There's arson for profit.
123
00:10:08,108 --> 00:10:09,075
There's arson for revenge.
124
00:10:09,651 --> 00:10:11,870
And then there's just
arson for kicks.
125
00:10:13,988 --> 00:10:16,741
Man: It used to infuriate me that
this was going on night after night,
126
00:10:17,158 --> 00:10:19,160
and nobody, nobody seemed to care.
127
00:10:19,786 --> 00:10:22,005
But I mean, we're doing this
for the people that are left,
128
00:10:22,455 --> 00:10:23,672
and for the houses are occupied.
129
00:10:25,875 --> 00:10:26,592
You got to be tough.
130
00:10:29,796 --> 00:10:31,639
Man: The exhaustion
can be depressing.
131
00:10:32,215 --> 00:10:36,220
Man: To blow off steam,
you probably have ten methods
132
00:10:36,803 --> 00:10:37,975
for every individual, you know?
133
00:10:38,429 --> 00:10:39,305
Jeff: We'll clean it.
134
00:10:40,473 --> 00:10:40,848
Man: Whoa!
135
00:10:41,141 --> 00:10:42,393
Tony: Weird pink nursing home.
136
00:10:43,977 --> 00:10:44,352
Man: Nice.
137
00:10:44,644 --> 00:10:45,236
Man: Ohhhh.
138
00:10:46,688 --> 00:10:47,985
Man: Holy cow!
139
00:10:48,565 --> 00:10:48,940
Man: Whoo!
140
00:10:49,232 --> 00:10:49,653
Craig: Yeah, the DFD swagger.
141
00:10:50,233 --> 00:10:51,280
I mean, we're above the law.
142
00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:54,867
Detroit firemen think they
can do whatever they want.
143
00:10:57,824 --> 00:10:59,121
Cowboys in a big rodeo (alarm).
144
00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:26,395
Man: We do things a little
differently, rigs pull up.
145
00:11:26,978 --> 00:11:28,195
Man: Oh, it's in the basement.
146
00:11:28,521 --> 00:11:31,991
Man: Guys go right in, we
advance to the heart of the fire.
147
00:11:33,693 --> 00:11:36,663
Parnell: Other guys are fighting
fires, you see water shooting in,
148
00:11:37,238 --> 00:11:39,616
we fight fires, you'll
see water shooting out.
149
00:11:41,075 --> 00:11:42,827
Whoa!You got me!
150
00:11:43,578 --> 00:11:45,580
Parnell: Detroit puts the
fires out from the inside out.
151
00:11:45,872 --> 00:11:47,044
Plain and simple.
152
00:11:48,750 --> 00:11:50,844
Dennis: When we go on a
fire, we're kind of hyped up.
153
00:11:51,127 --> 00:11:51,798
We're like, "Let's go!"
154
00:11:52,086 --> 00:11:55,260
"Ah!" You know, you're tackling this
thing like it's some type of dragon.
155
00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:57,217
And we don't really lose too often.
156
00:11:58,092 --> 00:11:59,093
Man: Hot as fucking shit!
157
00:12:01,095 --> 00:12:04,599
Man: We have people that come from
across country, around the world
158
00:12:05,183 --> 00:12:06,230
to just watch us fight fire.
159
00:12:06,517 --> 00:12:08,895
Man: Well, I don't know
if I should say that,
160
00:12:09,479 --> 00:12:10,856
but we fight fires with balls.
161
00:12:11,439 --> 00:12:12,531
That's (laughs)...
162
00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:15,868
Man: It's the best
boys' club in the world!
163
00:12:16,444 --> 00:12:18,287
We get paid to be here.
164
00:12:18,863 --> 00:12:20,957
Miller: I like coming to
work., I look forward to it.
165
00:12:21,241 --> 00:12:22,959
I think you'll hear that
from most of the guys,
166
00:12:23,326 --> 00:12:26,125
ask anyone in the private sector,
and you'll probably hear differently.
167
00:12:27,330 --> 00:12:28,172
Man: This job is fun!
168
00:12:29,499 --> 00:12:31,126
You get to turn the
lights on, the siren on,
169
00:12:31,626 --> 00:12:32,923
you get to run through red lights.
170
00:12:33,836 --> 00:12:34,382
Let's
171
00:12:35,213 --> 00:12:38,808
Man: We actually live together 24
hours, since there's a closeness,
172
00:12:39,384 --> 00:12:41,887
the trust factor is there.
173
00:12:42,470 --> 00:12:44,472
Jeff: The busier you
are, the more you bond.
174
00:12:45,056 --> 00:12:47,309
We're tight, it's a brotherhood,
that's just how we roll.
175
00:12:47,892 --> 00:12:51,522
Man: That's the team that we
have, the family that we have,
176
00:12:52,105 --> 00:12:54,073
the trust that we have
for one another.
177
00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,027
Doogie: Most firemen
are social creatures,
178
00:12:57,568 --> 00:13:00,663
we like to hang out,
we like to enjoy life.
179
00:13:01,656 --> 00:13:03,329
A lot of times people
compare being a fireman
180
00:13:03,866 --> 00:13:05,209
to being a member of a social club.
181
00:13:05,743 --> 00:13:08,121
They might be onto something.
182
00:13:09,789 --> 00:13:12,042
Miller: Brendan Milewski,
who was a trial man here,
183
00:13:12,625 --> 00:13:14,423
he was probably the
youngest guy to be here,
184
00:13:15,003 --> 00:13:17,756
come 20-years-old, or 18-years-old.
185
00:13:18,339 --> 00:13:19,215
Man: Nineteen, something
like that, he come on, yeah.
186
00:13:19,799 --> 00:13:20,595
Miller: Fresh-faced kid.
187
00:13:20,883 --> 00:13:23,011
I don't think he ever made a
bed himself when he got here.
188
00:13:23,511 --> 00:13:24,854
Jeff: My buddy, Doogie.
189
00:13:25,847 --> 00:13:29,772
Silly picture of us back in
probably 2000 at HarleyFest.
190
00:13:31,394 --> 00:13:34,944
Doogie: I got on the job
when I was 20-years-old.
191
00:13:36,441 --> 00:13:39,069
After 11 years, I was
content, I was happy.
192
00:13:39,694 --> 00:13:44,621
It was August, I'd been off
for like seven or nine days.
193
00:13:45,199 --> 00:13:46,496
I had a nice stretch of
days off, so I was excited
194
00:13:47,076 --> 00:13:48,328
to go back to work, see the guys.
195
00:13:48,870 --> 00:13:50,622
I got there a little
after seven o'clock.
196
00:13:51,289 --> 00:13:54,714
And before I could come in and say
hello, and see what we had going
197
00:13:55,293 --> 00:13:58,638
on for that day, the alert went
off and we got the run (sirens).
198
00:14:07,889 --> 00:14:10,142
Doogie: Once we got rolling,
and turned down Dickerson,
199
00:14:10,725 --> 00:14:14,696
and saw this huge towering
column of smoke,
200
00:14:15,271 --> 00:14:16,147
you knew it was just
not the way you wanted
201
00:14:16,731 --> 00:14:17,857
to start your Friday, the 13th.
202
00:14:18,149 --> 00:14:21,198
I mean, I'm no Nostradamus
or anything,
203
00:14:21,778 --> 00:14:22,825
but I just had a bad feeling.
204
00:14:23,363 --> 00:14:26,492
Soon as I saw it, I
just had a bad feeling.
205
00:14:27,575 --> 00:14:32,206
Me and a couple other
guys were ventilating,
206
00:14:32,789 --> 00:14:34,462
we were taking the plywood off
all the second story windows
207
00:14:35,041 --> 00:14:38,762
so the water tower could get
water in through the second floor.
208
00:14:39,337 --> 00:14:43,012
The bricks up there looked a little
suspect, and as we were working,
209
00:14:43,591 --> 00:14:44,843
I remember hearing somebody shout.
210
00:14:45,134 --> 00:14:47,887
The bricks in front of me, the facade
211
00:14:48,471 --> 00:14:50,348
of the building were
cascading like a waterfall.
212
00:14:50,932 --> 00:14:54,311
I mean, I saw it coming
and I made a run for it.
213
00:14:54,894 --> 00:14:57,522
Dispatcher: Chief 6 to
Central, send EMSes immediately,
214
00:14:58,106 --> 00:14:59,983
we've had a building
collapse,fireman down.
215
00:15:01,859 --> 00:15:08,208
Lewis: I saw him running and
he was less than ten feet from me
216
00:15:08,866 --> 00:15:14,168
when the wall caught him,
I could see his face.
217
00:15:14,747 --> 00:15:15,964
Dispatcher: Central, this
is Engine 30 (inaudible),
218
00:15:16,541 --> 00:15:17,884
Multiple EMS, multiple firemen down.
219
00:15:21,379 --> 00:15:23,302
Lewis: Hm, I can
still see it... plain.
220
00:15:26,384 --> 00:15:31,606
Doogie: And I went to go push
myself up off the concrete,
221
00:15:32,181 --> 00:15:35,981
do a push-up and slide my knees
in and walk away, and when I did
222
00:15:36,561 --> 00:15:38,780
that push-up, the only thing
that moved were my shoulders.
223
00:15:39,063 --> 00:15:40,781
Dispatcher: Central,
we need everybody here,
224
00:15:41,274 --> 00:15:43,743
we've got freaking firemen
down, the roof has collapsed,
225
00:15:44,318 --> 00:15:46,070
we need everybody here now!
226
00:15:46,654 --> 00:15:49,123
Lewis: They were hurt pretty bad,
they were buried in the bricks.
227
00:15:49,407 --> 00:15:52,877
I think it was about four minutes,
we had them all out on backboards.
228
00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:57,582
Called for a second alarm instantly.
229
00:15:58,166 --> 00:15:59,918
Dispatcher: Chief 6 to Central,
give me a second alarm (sirens).
230
00:16:00,209 --> 00:16:00,755
Man: Stop!
231
00:16:01,043 --> 00:16:04,889
Fuckin' brake, goddammit!
232
00:16:19,562 --> 00:16:20,358
Doogie: I was angry.
233
00:16:20,771 --> 00:16:26,653
I was pissed off that
this had happened.
234
00:16:30,323 --> 00:16:33,452
I remember there was
chaos going on around me,
235
00:16:34,035 --> 00:16:35,708
but just (voice cracks)
inside I was so calm.
236
00:16:42,126 --> 00:16:43,503
Lewis: One of the
things that I wanted
237
00:16:43,794 --> 00:16:45,888
to do afterwards was make sure
we washed all of the blood
238
00:16:46,339 --> 00:16:52,642
out of the street, there was
so much blood in the street.
239
00:17:06,859 --> 00:17:08,577
Doogie:Things could have been
done differently on August 13th
240
00:17:09,153 --> 00:17:12,657
that wouldn't have resulted in this.
241
00:17:13,241 --> 00:17:15,915
We could have did a complete surround
and drown defensive operation,
242
00:17:16,494 --> 00:17:18,371
that would change things
dramatically.
243
00:17:18,955 --> 00:17:20,502
I'd still be walking
if we had done that.
244
00:17:21,082 --> 00:17:25,462
There's definitely things that
could have been done differently.
245
00:17:42,019 --> 00:17:44,863
Dennis:When we go into to
houses, it's a whole 'nother thing
246
00:17:45,439 --> 00:17:48,158
from what you see on the news from
us standing outside with a hose.
247
00:17:52,446 --> 00:17:57,543
Parnell: Close your eyes,
feel heat all around you.
248
00:17:59,120 --> 00:18:04,126
Do not have no clue as to
where you going, and then say,
249
00:18:04,709 --> 00:18:05,756
"Okay, I got to fight this."
250
00:18:07,545 --> 00:18:07,966
That's fear.
251
00:18:10,756 --> 00:18:17,355
Man: There's some buildings that
you come out of, and you realize
252
00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:23,733
that the structure is
designed to kill firemen.
253
00:18:24,312 --> 00:18:24,938
Man: We've had stairways collapse.
254
00:18:25,521 --> 00:18:27,194
We've had bathtubs fall
from the second floor
255
00:18:27,732 --> 00:18:29,951
onto the first floor,
hit the guys below.
256
00:18:33,321 --> 00:18:35,915
Man: People have weights in
their rooms, they have waterbeds
257
00:18:36,490 --> 00:18:41,246
in their rooms, they have weapons,
there could be anything up there.
258
00:18:41,829 --> 00:18:44,207
Man: (yelling).
259
00:18:44,790 --> 00:18:46,918
Man: We have a record amount
of guys injured right now
260
00:18:47,376 --> 00:18:50,630
and we have had for the last
four or five years (sirens).
261
00:18:53,799 --> 00:18:56,393
Man: I don't know if I'm more
afraid of death or crippling injury.
262
00:18:57,803 --> 00:19:00,647
Chris: Out of 17 years, I've been
in the hospital 15 of those years.
263
00:19:01,223 --> 00:19:05,694
I had a second floor bathtub
fall on top of me, a concussion,
264
00:19:06,395 --> 00:19:08,397
partially dislocated my
hips, messed my back up.
265
00:19:08,981 --> 00:19:12,656
Dave: An air-conditioning unit from
the roof, collapsed through the roof,
266
00:19:13,235 --> 00:19:14,908
took my helmet and my mask with it.
267
00:19:15,488 --> 00:19:18,287
Man:You just never really
know what you're walking into.
268
00:19:29,126 --> 00:19:32,300
Man: Until you put your life up
as collateral for another life,
269
00:19:33,381 --> 00:19:34,849
you don't know what
life-saving is about.
270
00:19:35,132 --> 00:19:38,306
Man: lt'sjust a miracle
that more guys aren't hurt
271
00:19:38,886 --> 00:19:40,308
or killed on this job.
272
00:20:10,876 --> 00:20:13,675
Jeff: Middle of the night last
night our bell system stopped working
273
00:20:14,255 --> 00:20:16,303
to notify us that we're
getting a run.
274
00:20:16,882 --> 00:20:19,977
So it's a holiday, and we
figured we'd take a stab
275
00:20:20,553 --> 00:20:21,770
at fixing it ourselves.
276
00:20:22,346 --> 00:20:24,440
We haven't resorted
to the pots and pans
277
00:20:25,015 --> 00:20:27,564
like we used to do in the old days.
278
00:20:28,144 --> 00:20:32,240
Cross your fingers and hope
for a bell (bell rings).
279
00:20:32,523 --> 00:20:33,024
Yeah! Whoo!
280
00:20:33,315 --> 00:20:34,658
We'll probably get taken down
on charges for doing this.
281
00:20:35,234 --> 00:20:35,780
Man: Well, no one saw us do it.
282
00:20:36,360 --> 00:20:37,828
Craig: Yeah, the biggest challenge
283
00:20:38,404 --> 00:20:42,284
about being a Captain here is you
want to take care of the guys,
284
00:20:42,867 --> 00:20:45,040
you want to take care of the rig, you
want to take care of your building,
285
00:20:45,619 --> 00:20:48,122
and you look around here,
you got broken windows
286
00:20:48,706 --> 00:20:50,708
that you've been trying to
get repaired for four years.
287
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:54,721
You have rigs that are leaking,
and nobody has the parts to fix.
288
00:20:55,796 --> 00:20:56,672
You know, you go down
to the repair shop
289
00:20:57,256 --> 00:20:58,883
for your fire coat, and
they don't have any.
290
00:20:59,550 --> 00:21:01,097
Gloves, boots.
291
00:21:02,344 --> 00:21:03,266
Man: They were leaking.
292
00:21:03,763 --> 00:21:06,516
It's ripped right in the top
here, big chunk out of 'em...
293
00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:08,692
rubber, you could see the steal,
figured I'd duct tape it up,
294
00:21:09,268 --> 00:21:10,110
and it seems like it's
working, right?
295
00:21:10,686 --> 00:21:11,107
(laughs).
296
00:21:11,395 --> 00:21:14,114
Man: Squad 6 leaks oil
like you wouldn't believe.
297
00:21:15,900 --> 00:21:16,776
You can see it down here.
298
00:21:17,067 --> 00:21:19,991
You know? (Laughs) I mean,
these rigs are held together
299
00:21:20,571 --> 00:21:22,665
with bubble gum and tape (siren).
300
00:21:26,786 --> 00:21:27,457
Man: What was it?
301
00:21:27,787 --> 00:21:30,256
Man: I think it was
the airbag or inner tire.
302
00:21:31,415 --> 00:21:32,837
Dennis: We're wearing
this stuff out.
303
00:21:33,292 --> 00:21:35,715
You know,just like the rigs,
you know, our stuff is worn out,
304
00:21:36,295 --> 00:21:38,093
because we're actually
doing something,
305
00:21:38,672 --> 00:21:39,889
we're working all the time, so.
306
00:21:41,008 --> 00:21:42,100
Craig:You know, that's just
something that comes with the job.
307
00:21:42,676 --> 00:21:45,600
It's been this way for so long,
and you just get frustrated.
308
00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:47,227
You look at the big picture,
309
00:21:47,515 --> 00:21:51,361
and there's just nothing
you can do about it.
310
00:22:09,620 --> 00:22:10,872
Reporter: Flames ripped
through an open warehouse,
311
00:22:11,455 --> 00:22:12,877
destroying several businesses inside.
312
00:22:13,332 --> 00:22:15,130
Now, firefighters explain
why they couldn't seem
313
00:22:15,626 --> 00:22:16,627
to get a hand on that fire.
314
00:22:18,212 --> 00:22:19,464
Man: Well, we get there
without the tools we need.
315
00:22:20,047 --> 00:22:21,048
There's not much we can do.
316
00:22:21,882 --> 00:22:23,304
Reporter: Firefighters doing all
they can, but stretched to the limit.
317
00:22:23,884 --> 00:22:24,100
Woman: It looks like a war zone,
318
00:22:24,677 --> 00:22:25,143
the whole block is just
gone, it's just gone.
319
00:22:25,719 --> 00:22:26,265
Reporter: When it comes
to public safety in Detroit,
320
00:22:26,846 --> 00:22:27,017
we're robbing Peter to pay Paul.
321
00:22:27,596 --> 00:22:28,267
Reporter: At least five
of the City's 21 rigs were
322
00:22:28,848 --> 00:22:30,270
out of commission in
the past few days.
323
00:22:43,404 --> 00:22:44,451
Man: Nothing but problems.
324
00:22:45,030 --> 00:22:48,330
It's dangerous, it's scary
and one of these days,
325
00:22:48,909 --> 00:22:49,876
we're going to get trapped.
326
00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:51,833
Man: It's gonna take
somebody getting killed.
327
00:22:52,872 --> 00:22:56,001
Reporter: Dozens of homes up in
flames, all in a matter of hours,
328
00:22:56,584 --> 00:22:57,961
downed power lines, strong winds,
329
00:22:58,544 --> 00:23:02,424
and at least one suspected arsonist
stretched Detroit's Fire Department
330
00:23:03,007 --> 00:23:03,803
like never before.
331
00:23:04,383 --> 00:23:07,353
Reporter: Eighty-five blazes in
total with the entire fire department
332
00:23:07,928 --> 00:23:10,056
on the streets, battling the flames.
333
00:23:15,811 --> 00:23:16,733
Man: Oh, what the fuck!
334
00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:23,152
Reporter: The Mayor
says, "Enough is enough!"
335
00:23:23,444 --> 00:23:27,665
And he fires the City's Fire
Commissioner, and his right-hand man.
336
00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:30,288
Reporter: Tonight a Fox 2
exclusive, answering the call
337
00:23:30,576 --> 00:23:32,829
for help for the men and women
of the Detroit Fire Department.
338
00:23:33,120 --> 00:23:34,918
Reporter: Tonight a look
at who's now in charge
339
00:23:35,205 --> 00:23:36,923
of some much needed changes.
340
00:23:37,499 --> 00:23:38,842
Reporter: Having
worked for 30 years
341
00:23:39,126 --> 00:23:40,343
in the Los Angeles Fire Department,
342
00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:44,470
Donald Austin knows all too well the
problems facing Detroit's embattled
343
00:23:45,049 --> 00:23:46,767
fire department and EMS system.
344
00:23:47,343 --> 00:23:50,517
Donald: Show me an organization
that says they can't improve,
345
00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:54,730
and I willjoin you in watching
that organization become obsolete.
346
00:23:55,309 --> 00:23:57,687
Donald:The leadership has
been challenged for a whole bunch
347
00:23:58,270 --> 00:24:00,989
of reasons but I plan on
bringing a whole new perspective.
348
00:24:01,565 --> 00:24:04,444
Donald: May I share the
table with you ladies?
349
00:24:05,027 --> 00:24:07,075
I'm Don Austin, Don
Austin, Don Austin.
350
00:24:07,655 --> 00:24:08,781
Man: Fire commissioner, we
need to know who he is, right?
351
00:24:09,365 --> 00:24:09,490
Donald: All right!
352
00:24:10,074 --> 00:24:13,874
Well, here I am... and I'm the fire
commissioner that's come again, yeah.
353
00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:17,457
Woman: I saw you on TV when
you first came on board, yeah.
354
00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,759
Donald: Oh, okay, I'm
committed and invested.
355
00:24:21,335 --> 00:24:24,714
So what do you guys want and
need from the fire department?
356
00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:26,674
Woman: We don't need any those...
357
00:24:27,007 --> 00:24:28,805
Craig: Our new commissioner's
from California,
358
00:24:29,385 --> 00:24:32,935
so we have an LA commissioner,
Hollywood, I don't know,
359
00:24:33,514 --> 00:24:36,643
Hollywood commissioner, we
just don't know what to expect.
360
00:24:37,768 --> 00:24:45,027
Man: (drums) Honor
guard, forward, March!
361
00:24:45,609 --> 00:24:51,412
(band playing)
362
00:24:51,991 --> 00:24:54,710
Craig: In the 30-plus years, how
many mayors, how many commissioners,
363
00:24:55,035 --> 00:24:57,458
how many chiefs of the
department have there been?
364
00:24:58,038 --> 00:24:59,506
They're going to be gone
two or three years from now.
365
00:25:00,082 --> 00:25:02,460
They're one election cycle away
from you not seeing them again.
366
00:25:03,002 --> 00:25:04,345
Man: I'd like to welcome everyone
367
00:25:04,837 --> 00:25:07,841
to our Detroit Fireman's Memorial
Day service, Ladies and gentlemen,
368
00:25:08,424 --> 00:25:11,553
our newly appointed Executive
Fire Commissioner, Donald Austin.
369
00:25:12,803 --> 00:25:14,305
Donald: I'm happy
to be here in Detroit,
370
00:25:14,596 --> 00:25:19,568
and want to continue the fine
tradition of the men and women
371
00:25:20,144 --> 00:25:24,274
of the Los Angeles Fire Department,
correction, I knew I was going
372
00:25:24,857 --> 00:25:26,200
to do that, (laughter) I apologize,
373
00:25:26,608 --> 00:25:30,033
The Detroit Fire Department
(band plays Amazing Grace).
374
00:25:48,255 --> 00:25:51,850
Chris: I remember when I told
my dad I wanted to be a fireman,
375
00:25:52,426 --> 00:25:55,179
and he said, "Not in this city."
376
00:25:55,763 --> 00:25:57,015
Ten years later, look where I'm at.
377
00:25:57,306 --> 00:26:01,527
Tony: When I was a kid, my father
was a fireman, and I always wanted
378
00:26:02,102 --> 00:26:04,196
to be a fireman, he was
proud of me when I signed up.
379
00:26:04,772 --> 00:26:08,777
Jeff: Family on the job,
it's just rich tradition.
380
00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:12,954
A lot of peoplejust fall into line
like that, uncles, brothers, fathers,
381
00:26:13,530 --> 00:26:16,249
sons, can't explain
why, it just happens.
382
00:26:17,868 --> 00:26:19,336
Miller: Most of the
guys around here,
383
00:26:19,912 --> 00:26:21,289
their dad's ran here at some point.
384
00:26:21,872 --> 00:26:23,249
I've seen stuff my dad wrote in.
385
00:26:23,832 --> 00:26:28,838
Matter of fact, 1979, I think
my dad just made Sergeant here.
386
00:26:29,421 --> 00:26:36,020
I was 17 when my father died
(clears throat) from cancer,
387
00:26:36,595 --> 00:26:39,565
possibly complications from a fire.
388
00:26:40,599 --> 00:26:45,230
When he was sick, the fire
department stepped up.
389
00:26:46,230 --> 00:26:47,823
The camaraderie came into play.
390
00:26:48,398 --> 00:26:49,820
I don't think there
was a day that went
391
00:26:50,234 --> 00:26:52,328
by that there wasn't a fire
truck in front of my house.
392
00:26:53,529 --> 00:26:56,499
At 17, that had an impact on me.
393
00:27:13,465 --> 00:27:14,887
Chris: Yeah, I guess they
say, "Firemen die young."
394
00:27:15,467 --> 00:27:17,720
I plan on not being one of those.
395
00:27:18,929 --> 00:27:19,646
Child: I love you.
396
00:27:20,055 --> 00:27:21,853
Chris: It seems like
the guys that stay to 60,
397
00:27:22,391 --> 00:27:23,734
they stay till 60, and boom!
398
00:27:24,351 --> 00:27:24,852
It's like, wow!
399
00:27:25,144 --> 00:27:25,895
That guy just retired!
400
00:27:26,186 --> 00:27:26,732
Good job.
401
00:27:27,312 --> 00:27:28,188
Child:Yeah!
402
00:27:28,814 --> 00:27:29,155
Dave: Jake!
403
00:27:29,439 --> 00:27:33,569
That's the Jakester, you want
me to get farther away from you.
404
00:27:34,153 --> 00:27:35,325
Gloria: Mm hm.
405
00:27:35,904 --> 00:27:37,121
Parnell: That's my wife, Gloria.
406
00:27:37,406 --> 00:27:38,658
That's my girlfriend (laughs).
407
00:27:39,241 --> 00:27:45,374
Yeah. Wife, girlfriend, lover, all
of the above for the last 35 years.
408
00:27:46,248 --> 00:27:48,751
Yeah, so I've almost gotten
to know her a little bit
409
00:27:49,334 --> 00:27:50,961
and she's always dressed
me all these years.
410
00:27:51,545 --> 00:27:55,721
You know, I guess I looked okay
most of the time, but people look
411
00:27:56,300 --> 00:27:57,426
at me now and they say, "Wow!"
412
00:27:58,886 --> 00:28:02,607
Was Gloria not home when you left?"
413
00:28:03,182 --> 00:28:05,981
(laughs). I met my wife before
I was ever out of high school.
414
00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:11,406
I got out the Marine Corp, she said,
"You got one date, that's it, buddy."
415
00:28:12,191 --> 00:28:13,283
We've been dating ever since.
416
00:28:13,567 --> 00:28:18,994
She's put up with me
for over 30 yea rs,
417
00:28:19,656 --> 00:28:23,286
so it's time to just do
what she wants to do.
418
00:28:23,869 --> 00:28:25,746
Originally, we had planned
to move to Tennessee,
419
00:28:26,330 --> 00:28:31,131
but it's totally different
now, because of her situation.
420
00:28:31,793 --> 00:28:33,636
Yea h, hey, sweetie
(kissy sound) Love you.
421
00:28:34,213 --> 00:28:34,384
All right, see you.
422
00:28:34,963 --> 00:28:35,759
Gloria: Scoot!
423
00:28:36,340 --> 00:28:36,966
Parnell: See ya.
424
00:28:37,424 --> 00:28:39,267
She went in for a simple
appendectomy,
425
00:28:39,843 --> 00:28:43,893
contracted Guillain-Barre, and
they said if it doesn't kill you,
426
00:28:44,473 --> 00:28:45,690
you'll make a full recovery.
427
00:28:46,308 --> 00:28:50,029
I'm waiting for the full recovery.
428
00:28:55,692 --> 00:28:58,195
Miller: This is the empty engine
bay at Engine 50's quarters.
429
00:28:58,779 --> 00:29:01,783
They've taken our rig and placed
it at Engine 58's quarters,
430
00:29:02,366 --> 00:29:04,869
because both of their rigs, the squad
431
00:29:05,452 --> 00:29:07,045
and the engine are
broken down at the shop.
432
00:29:07,621 --> 00:29:11,251
Chris:Yeah, we're at Engine 58's
quarters, which is at Lake Point
433
00:29:11,833 --> 00:29:14,302
and Whittier, which is about
two miles from 50's quarters.
434
00:29:15,003 --> 00:29:16,220
Detailed here today.
435
00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:17,722
Riding 50's rig.
436
00:29:18,966 --> 00:29:20,388
Man: The next step,
what we've heard,
437
00:29:20,676 --> 00:29:24,351
the rumor is that the TAC is going
to come to Engine 50's quarters.
438
00:29:24,930 --> 00:29:28,275
The TAC is a small
truck with a tank on it,
439
00:29:28,976 --> 00:29:31,445
it's just for transportation
purposes only for manpower.
440
00:29:32,437 --> 00:29:34,906
Miller: It'd be nice if we
had some kind of a back-up plan
441
00:29:35,482 --> 00:29:38,326
when things break, you know,
I suspect there are a lot
442
00:29:38,902 --> 00:29:40,324
of other rigs that
are about to break.
443
00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:42,114
Chris: Been lucky so far.
444
00:29:42,572 --> 00:29:47,123
I mean, you got a... you don't
want to imagine what could happen,
445
00:29:48,495 --> 00:29:49,872
it's like playing with fire.
446
00:30:09,057 --> 00:30:09,603
Man: Got that?
447
00:30:10,809 --> 00:30:11,776
Dennis: Yeah.
448
00:30:17,232 --> 00:30:19,735
Man: All right.
449
00:30:22,863 --> 00:30:24,410
Man: The whole fucking
house is rolling!
450
00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:25,915
Man: Yeah, yeah, it's done.
451
00:30:32,789 --> 00:30:33,881
Woman: Come on!
452
00:30:35,834 --> 00:30:36,676
Man: Yeah, over here.
453
00:30:40,797 --> 00:30:42,265
Man: That's every
fucking thing I got!
454
00:30:43,842 --> 00:30:44,593
Man: Move over.
455
00:30:46,011 --> 00:30:47,479
Man: Man, this motherfucker's
rolling!
456
00:30:47,846 --> 00:30:48,938
Look at that black-ass smoke!
457
00:30:50,807 --> 00:30:52,309
Man:That's every
fucking thing I got!!
458
00:30:52,809 --> 00:30:53,731
Woman: I know... I know.
459
00:30:56,063 --> 00:30:57,110
Woman: It's gonna be okay.
460
00:31:06,156 --> 00:31:10,332
Doogie: Any retiree will tell
you that when they come back
461
00:31:10,911 --> 00:31:14,961
to the firehouse, even if it's just
for a visit, it's just not the same,
462
00:31:15,540 --> 00:31:21,047
when you're removed from it, life
goes on, the firehouse goes on.
463
00:31:45,362 --> 00:31:46,454
Thank you, honey.
464
00:31:49,324 --> 00:31:51,577
Angie:That's Doogie
right there in that one.
465
00:31:56,081 --> 00:31:58,083
And this is probably my
favorite one right here
466
00:31:58,667 --> 00:32:01,716
with all the ax and all the smoke.
467
00:32:03,130 --> 00:32:04,222
He almost looks like a ghost.
468
00:32:05,048 --> 00:32:09,144
I think it's kind of cool, but it's
scary at the same time how kind
469
00:32:09,719 --> 00:32:12,063
of after the fact that
something happens.
470
00:32:12,639 --> 00:32:12,730
You know what I mean?
471
00:32:13,306 --> 00:32:15,980
I always thought he was
kind of like invincible.
472
00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:17,436
When I see these pictures.
473
00:32:17,727 --> 00:32:21,322
I was 19 when we Brendan met.
474
00:32:21,898 --> 00:32:23,946
I cut Brendan's hair.
475
00:32:24,734 --> 00:32:28,489
Doogie: I was an absolute
busy body before this happened.
476
00:32:29,072 --> 00:32:31,245
When I cut loose,I
like to cut loose.
477
00:32:32,284 --> 00:32:33,661
Angie: We traveled a lot together.
478
00:32:33,994 --> 00:32:35,746
Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico.
479
00:32:36,329 --> 00:32:36,500
Doogie: Motorcycles.
480
00:32:37,080 --> 00:32:37,672
Angie: Bahamas.
481
00:32:38,039 --> 00:32:38,164
Doogie: Playing hockey.
482
00:32:38,748 --> 00:32:39,499
Angie: Saint Lucia.
483
00:32:39,791 --> 00:32:41,464
Doogie: I've been
snowboarding for 23 years.
484
00:32:41,751 --> 00:32:45,005
You know, we'd go up north, get
a nice cabin for three/four days
485
00:32:45,589 --> 00:32:47,011
at a time, it was a big deal for us.
486
00:32:47,591 --> 00:32:48,262
Nice job, baby.
487
00:32:48,842 --> 00:32:55,600
To not have that anymore, it
really uh... it really sucks.
488
00:33:07,194 --> 00:33:11,040
The neurosurgeon's opinion
is that most recovery,
489
00:33:11,740 --> 00:33:13,959
most of what you're going to
get back will take a good six
490
00:33:14,326 --> 00:33:14,497
to eighteen months.
491
00:33:15,076 --> 00:33:18,330
That, for me, right now is like
that's where my blinders are,
492
00:33:18,914 --> 00:33:19,961
that six to eighteen months.
493
00:33:21,166 --> 00:33:22,543
Therapist: Keep going,
keep going, keep going.
494
00:33:23,043 --> 00:33:23,384
Pull yourself up.
495
00:33:23,710 --> 00:33:24,051
Doogie: Hold on.
496
00:33:24,336 --> 00:33:24,677
I got it.
497
00:33:24,961 --> 00:33:25,302
Therapist: Yeah!
498
00:33:25,587 --> 00:33:32,892
I wasn't going to help you (laughs)
C'mon, pull, pull, pull, much better.
499
00:33:33,470 --> 00:33:36,815
Doogie: Emotionally, physically,
I mean, every day is a battle,
500
00:33:37,390 --> 00:33:43,193
when you wake up, there's that split
second between opening your eyes,
501
00:33:44,064 --> 00:33:45,566
and remembering that
you're paralyzed.
502
00:33:46,149 --> 00:33:51,701
It's just kind of like...
(big sigh), "Alright",
503
00:33:52,531 --> 00:33:55,705
alright, let's get things going."
504
00:33:56,618 --> 00:33:57,619
Therapist: Take deep breaths.
505
00:33:57,911 --> 00:34:00,334
Doogie: It's a rough
way to start the day.
506
00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:05,968
Jeff: Took us a while
to break Doogie in.
507
00:34:06,545 --> 00:34:09,298
He was just the way we like him,
nobody could swear more cutting
508
00:34:09,881 --> 00:34:12,430
in a pipe flashing, this is
Doogie's enemy right here (laughs).
509
00:34:13,009 --> 00:34:17,230
It'djust make you laugh, I'd give
anything to get him back here.
510
00:34:17,806 --> 00:34:23,404
This isn't the easiest work,
but it's what we do, you know,
511
00:34:23,979 --> 00:34:24,901
it pays a few extra bills,
512
00:34:25,188 --> 00:34:26,940
because everybody knows
they don't pay you enough
513
00:34:27,232 --> 00:34:28,358
to run into burning buildings.
514
00:34:29,651 --> 00:34:30,698
Craig: The starting salary
515
00:34:31,236 --> 00:34:34,115
of a Detroit Firefighter is
right around $30,000 a year.
516
00:34:34,698 --> 00:34:37,201
Miller: I'd leave that wall alone.
517
00:34:37,784 --> 00:34:38,535
Dennis: Same thing?
518
00:34:38,827 --> 00:34:40,750
Man: Same thing, yeah.
519
00:34:41,329 --> 00:34:41,420
Just a little...
520
00:34:41,871 --> 00:34:42,872
Craig: So most firefighters
have a second job.
521
00:34:43,456 --> 00:34:47,506
Because that just isn't enough
money today to feed your family.
522
00:34:49,462 --> 00:34:50,258
Interviewer: Can
we see the seasoning?
523
00:34:50,589 --> 00:34:51,806
That seasoning is...
524
00:34:52,173 --> 00:34:52,890
Miller: "WIC approved."
525
00:34:53,216 --> 00:34:56,811
So I can use my food
stamps to buy these
526
00:34:57,762 --> 00:34:59,764
but I didn't, I'm almost eligible.
527
00:35:00,348 --> 00:35:04,524
If my pay goes down 20 percent more,
I'll be eligible for food stamps
528
00:35:05,103 --> 00:35:06,275
but I think the Governor's
cut food stamps, too.
529
00:35:06,855 --> 00:35:09,574
Jeff: You know,I understand
in tough times everybody has
530
00:35:10,150 --> 00:35:12,778
to take a haircut, but I'm bald.
531
00:35:13,361 --> 00:35:16,331
We're all going bald now.
532
00:35:17,490 --> 00:35:20,619
Miller: We're on our
way to a union meeting.
533
00:35:21,202 --> 00:35:25,457
A special meeting that was called
to discuss a recent contract.
534
00:35:26,041 --> 00:35:28,510
Frank: If they keep on chipping
away at the contract like this,
535
00:35:29,294 --> 00:35:31,592
and any improvements we
gained over the last 20 years,
536
00:35:32,255 --> 00:35:34,633
what's going to happen is you're
going to work till you're dead.
537
00:35:34,924 --> 00:35:35,595
You'll never retire.
538
00:35:36,509 --> 00:35:38,807
Man:Times are tough,
and everybody knows it
539
00:35:39,387 --> 00:35:43,267
but they're taking away our
pension, it's a tough thing to do.
540
00:35:43,850 --> 00:35:45,102
Man: Twenty-one yea rs on the job.
541
00:35:45,393 --> 00:35:47,487
I've had 11 years that I've
had a zero percent pay raise,
542
00:35:48,647 --> 00:35:49,864
no one wants to talk about that.
543
00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:53,535
They feel this country is being
run into the ground by the unions,
544
00:35:54,110 --> 00:35:56,112
which is the furthest
thing from the truth.
545
00:35:57,197 --> 00:35:59,120
It hurts that we're the scapegoats
546
00:35:59,699 --> 00:36:01,997
for the country's financial
problems now.
547
00:36:02,577 --> 00:36:06,081
Dennis: I think that's the
political climate we're in right now,
548
00:36:06,665 --> 00:36:12,013
I mean, we know nothing's perfect,
but if we didn't have unions,
549
00:36:12,587 --> 00:36:18,515
a lot of people would be in a bad
position, even non-union workers.
550
00:36:19,094 --> 00:36:22,769
Craig: So what I don't get
is when we became the enemy.
551
00:36:23,348 --> 00:36:27,899
When the firefighters and the
police officers and the teachers,
552
00:36:28,728 --> 00:36:30,526
the people that are trying
to make a difference,
553
00:36:31,272 --> 00:36:34,572
all of a sudden we're
just costing too much,
554
00:36:35,151 --> 00:36:36,824
and there's too much
expense out there.
555
00:36:37,821 --> 00:36:40,370
Craig: And now, god, you'd think
you'd want to run away in shame,
556
00:36:40,657 --> 00:36:43,627
because, "Oh, you're a public
employee, you're a civic employee."
557
00:36:50,542 --> 00:36:52,761
Craig: I hear our new
commissioner's coming
558
00:36:53,336 --> 00:36:56,465
to visit us this afternoon,
I've read a little bit about him
559
00:36:57,048 --> 00:37:02,305
in the newspaper, I know he's from
Detroit originally, unknown quantity,
560
00:37:03,513 --> 00:37:05,390
I'm sure we can all formulate
our opinions and jump
561
00:37:05,682 --> 00:37:07,605
to our conclusions,
but time will tell.
562
00:37:08,268 --> 00:37:11,192
Donald: I ain't got time to BS.
563
00:37:11,771 --> 00:37:16,197
Somebody didn't do theirjob but
we can't be abusing our equipment,
564
00:37:16,985 --> 00:37:20,080
pipe posts come up missing at fires,
axes come up missing at fires,
565
00:37:20,655 --> 00:37:22,623
generators come up
missing off the trucks.
566
00:37:23,283 --> 00:37:24,125
How does that happen?
567
00:37:25,285 --> 00:37:27,128
If we're bringing good money in the
front door, and we're throwing it
568
00:37:27,704 --> 00:37:29,832
out the back door, what
sense does that make?
569
00:37:31,124 --> 00:37:36,130
Now you do know that 95 to 96 percent
of the budget goes to pay you guys.
570
00:37:37,255 --> 00:37:38,472
Craig: Yes, yeah, we know that.
571
00:37:38,757 --> 00:37:40,475
Donald:That leaves
four to five percent left
572
00:37:41,009 --> 00:37:44,058
for everything else,
fuel and oil, supplies.
573
00:37:45,555 --> 00:37:47,728
But there's a lot of stuff
here that I'm trying to figure
574
00:37:48,141 --> 00:37:49,267
out why is it still broken?
575
00:37:49,851 --> 00:37:53,401
I shake my head at some of the stuff.
576
00:37:53,980 --> 00:37:55,482
I'm waiting for somebody
to say, "Smile!"
577
00:37:56,065 --> 00:37:57,783
You're on Candid Camera!"
578
00:38:00,987 --> 00:38:08,917
Shit rolls downhill and the Mayor
wants change, we better get back
579
00:38:10,413 --> 00:38:12,131
in charge of our own damn department!
580
00:38:13,500 --> 00:38:15,594
Trust me! I'm going to
do what I think is right,
581
00:38:16,169 --> 00:38:20,891
I don't give a shit whether you
like me or not 'cause I ain't here
582
00:38:21,466 --> 00:38:24,970
to make friends, I'm
here to be your leader.
583
00:38:41,778 --> 00:38:45,783
Dispatcher: Fire 23
service, report a disposition
584
00:38:46,366 --> 00:38:48,414
at 000, at 1245 (inaudible).
585
00:38:48,993 --> 00:38:51,837
Dave: Start getting into warmer
days, and then when school lets out,
586
00:38:52,413 --> 00:38:54,006
it just seems like the
fire load increases.
587
00:38:54,541 --> 00:38:58,262
Man: A gallon of gas is still
cheaper than a movie ticket.
588
00:39:00,004 --> 00:39:03,224
Man: As soon as the weather
breaks, come May! June, ba-boom'.!
589
00:39:13,601 --> 00:39:15,649
Man: We was in the back
yard, smoke was coming out.
590
00:39:16,312 --> 00:39:17,529
Man: Got a barbecue going, eh?
591
00:39:17,897 --> 00:39:18,398
Woman: Uh huh!
592
00:39:18,690 --> 00:39:19,907
Man: Okay, have a good day, now.
593
00:39:20,358 --> 00:39:20,449
Woman: All right!
594
00:39:21,025 --> 00:39:21,491
You too.
595
00:39:25,989 --> 00:39:27,206
Terrell: Bulldog!
596
00:39:31,536 --> 00:39:33,664
Chris: He said he was
burning some rats out of a bush.
597
00:39:34,163 --> 00:39:36,916
And they started them on fire,
and they ran into the tree.
598
00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:39,047
That was fucking horrible!
599
00:39:48,553 --> 00:39:49,520
Man: You got my dog out?
600
00:39:50,805 --> 00:39:51,681
Did you get my dog out?!
601
00:39:55,852 --> 00:39:57,274
Chris: You don't
have to pay me, sir.
602
00:39:59,898 --> 00:40:01,150
Jeff: Is that a piece of steak?
603
00:40:08,948 --> 00:40:12,248
Miller: I don't think we've been
to sleep for more than a few minutes,
604
00:40:12,827 --> 00:40:14,249
I mean, this is typical of
a summer night around here.
605
00:40:14,829 --> 00:40:15,045
Man: Watch the wires, guys.
606
00:40:15,622 --> 00:40:16,464
We got wires down.
607
00:40:26,883 --> 00:40:28,135
Jeff: It's really not that hot.
608
00:40:29,302 --> 00:40:29,768
Man: Whoa!
609
00:40:31,930 --> 00:40:34,809
Man: You know what saggin' means?
610
00:40:36,267 --> 00:40:36,642
What it mean?
611
00:40:36,935 --> 00:40:39,154
It means you're looking
for a girlfriend!
612
00:40:40,688 --> 00:40:41,439
In prison!
613
00:41:12,804 --> 00:41:13,521
Doogie: It's weird.
614
00:41:13,805 --> 00:41:17,184
The sensation's really weird.
615
00:41:17,767 --> 00:41:23,365
Yeah, your perception is a little
off, and your first instinct
616
00:41:23,940 --> 00:41:26,443
when you hit the bottom of anything
is to like, put your feet down
617
00:41:26,901 --> 00:41:28,244
and kick yourself back up to the top.
618
00:41:28,528 --> 00:41:36,379
You can't do that, so
it's kind of strange.
619
00:41:36,953 --> 00:41:41,925
My line of injury is
basically between my nipple
620
00:41:42,500 --> 00:41:44,753
and my belly button, because
that's where my sensation stops.
621
00:41:45,044 --> 00:41:50,972
Since I've been here in therapy,
I can now consciously flex muscles
622
00:41:51,551 --> 00:41:54,680
and control muscles way
below my line of injury.
623
00:41:55,263 --> 00:41:55,388
Things are happening.
624
00:41:55,972 --> 00:41:56,973
I'm starting to gain control
625
00:41:57,265 --> 00:42:03,238
over things I didn't have
control over when this happened.
626
00:42:03,813 --> 00:42:05,815
It's relaxation, but at the
same time it's freeing your mind
627
00:42:06,274 --> 00:42:06,740
from everything else.
628
00:42:07,025 --> 00:42:11,872
You know, your onlyjob is
to, is to float, don't drown.
629
00:42:12,447 --> 00:42:15,667
And it definitely lightens up the
stress a little being in the water.
630
00:42:42,810 --> 00:42:44,733
Parnell: You always expect
things to be the same.
631
00:42:45,188 --> 00:42:47,611
You always expect things
to last longer,
632
00:42:48,524 --> 00:42:56,454
you expect to grow old together,
I never expected to bury my wife.
633
00:42:57,366 --> 00:43:00,666
Just figured that I would
certainly leave before her.
634
00:43:02,538 --> 00:43:07,044
Well... you know, it didn't
work out like that, so.
635
00:43:15,927 --> 00:43:20,228
Miller: Just came out of the
funeral for Dave Parnell's wife.
636
00:43:20,807 --> 00:43:24,437
She had a cardiac arrest last Friday.
637
00:43:25,019 --> 00:43:27,647
It was kind of shocking,
and incredibly sad.
638
00:43:29,982 --> 00:43:33,202
The last four years, Dave's
taken a lot on himself
639
00:43:33,778 --> 00:43:37,658
to help rehabilitate his wife.
640
00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:46,003
Dave's life changed
radically that day.
641
00:43:46,707 --> 00:43:51,133
I know his planned retirement
was wrapped around his wife.
642
00:43:54,507 --> 00:43:58,603
Parnell: Thirty-five years just
wasn't enough, it really wasn't.
643
00:43:59,303 --> 00:44:03,058
She did things like
this, she liked colors,
644
00:44:03,641 --> 00:44:06,941
so she would make them
different colors.
645
00:44:08,020 --> 00:44:10,990
It's like springtime all
the time, that was like her.
646
00:44:12,191 --> 00:44:14,034
Always new, "You know,
hey, come here",
647
00:44:14,610 --> 00:44:17,033
let me show you a little
something different."
648
00:44:17,822 --> 00:44:23,955
(laughs) Yeah, everybody needs a
Gloria in their life, oh, geez, Man!
649
00:44:30,168 --> 00:44:33,388
Donald:We're heading over
to our apparatus division,
650
00:44:33,963 --> 00:44:36,432
we have a lot of rigs that are
broken down and it was getting
651
00:44:37,008 --> 00:44:40,262
to a critical condition in
the field for fire trucks.
652
00:44:42,638 --> 00:44:45,391
Now the Mayor has challenged all
of us department heads to come
653
00:44:45,975 --> 00:44:48,069
in on budget, and that's
going to be my goal.
654
00:44:50,813 --> 00:44:54,158
Looks like we're over about six
million dollars between fire and EMS.
655
00:44:55,610 --> 00:44:56,907
You know, a lot of our budget goes
656
00:44:57,236 --> 00:44:59,204
to repair these rigs
that are broken down.
657
00:44:59,780 --> 00:45:03,535
And I don't think the men
and women understand the cost
658
00:45:04,118 --> 00:45:04,835
of things, you know?
659
00:45:07,246 --> 00:45:07,712
Just happened?
660
00:45:08,414 --> 00:45:09,540
It's one of those days.
661
00:45:10,124 --> 00:45:12,627
Donald:Wow, so would your
assessment be that we tear up a lot
662
00:45:13,211 --> 00:45:14,133
of equipment around here?
663
00:45:14,754 --> 00:45:19,555
Man: My assessment would be that
we tear up a lot of equipment.
664
00:45:20,134 --> 00:45:22,683
Donald: We don't even have on
the radar buying new equipment.
665
00:45:24,013 --> 00:45:26,186
You know? There's no
money for it, unless we...
666
00:45:26,766 --> 00:45:28,768
A lot of things happen
here that shouldn't happen.
667
00:45:29,352 --> 00:45:35,450
Everyone probably knows that we
parked a truck on a train track.
668
00:45:36,067 --> 00:45:38,911
Reporter: The Detroit Fire
Department is still looking
669
00:45:39,487 --> 00:45:40,613
into why a firefighter decided
670
00:45:40,905 --> 00:45:44,535
to park the ladder truck on the
tracks and in the path of danger.
671
00:45:45,117 --> 00:45:47,040
Donald: I mean, how do
you park on a train track?
672
00:45:47,370 --> 00:45:49,498
An Amtrak train track no less.
673
00:45:50,081 --> 00:45:55,053
When you park a 700,000
dollar truck on a train track,
674
00:45:55,628 --> 00:46:00,350
and it gets taken out, that's
700,000 dollars out of our budget.
675
00:46:00,967 --> 00:46:04,312
We had another vehicle that
was driven under an overpass,
676
00:46:05,263 --> 00:46:07,311
and we created a convertible
out of it.
677
00:46:08,349 --> 00:46:10,602
The cab alone was 200,000 dollars.
678
00:46:16,857 --> 00:46:20,953
I don't think we hold ourselves
accountable like we need to.
679
00:46:23,239 --> 00:46:24,866
Let me ask you this:
What should happen?
680
00:46:25,950 --> 00:46:27,167
Man: To the individual?
681
00:46:27,743 --> 00:46:28,710
Donald:Well, you tell me!
682
00:46:28,995 --> 00:46:29,712
Man: That backed up?
683
00:46:30,246 --> 00:46:31,042
Donald: Or the officer?
684
00:46:31,330 --> 00:46:32,047
Man: Or the officer?
685
00:46:32,498 --> 00:46:34,171
Donald: Let's start
with the officer first.
686
00:46:35,084 --> 00:46:38,213
Man: (laughs) Well, I'm
kind of partial to that, so.
687
00:46:38,796 --> 00:46:40,673
Donald: I feel like I'm
in a parallel universe.
688
00:46:42,133 --> 00:46:44,101
Nobody else thinks
like this in the world.
689
00:46:45,803 --> 00:46:48,272
And I don't want to get to a point
where I accept that as a norm,
690
00:46:48,597 --> 00:46:50,270
because that is not the
norm everywhere else.
691
00:46:50,558 --> 00:46:51,434
It shouldn't be the norm.
692
00:46:52,351 --> 00:46:54,695
You know, how they say when
you're in Rome, do as the Romans?
693
00:46:55,396 --> 00:46:57,990
I ain't doing as the Romans,
I'm changing shit around here.
694
00:46:58,566 --> 00:47:01,866
Excuse my French, but this is
pure, unadulterated nonsense!
695
00:47:04,071 --> 00:47:06,244
I don't care how many more
stations you badly want open,
696
00:47:06,824 --> 00:47:09,247
or might need to be opened,
there is no more money.
697
00:47:09,827 --> 00:47:12,922
What do you do in your own
families when there's no more money?
698
00:47:13,497 --> 00:47:17,218
How many of you going to come to
work and not get paid in two weeks.
699
00:47:17,793 --> 00:47:19,261
Raise your hands if
you come in to work,
700
00:47:19,754 --> 00:47:21,097
and knowing you ain't getting paid.
701
00:47:22,548 --> 00:47:26,803
I'm at tremendous odds with
the people in this organization
702
00:47:27,386 --> 00:47:29,434
for the direction that it must go.
703
00:47:30,806 --> 00:47:31,728
Man: Go down to the shop,
we're not getting gear,
704
00:47:32,308 --> 00:47:34,106
we're not getting rigs,
we're not hiring.
705
00:47:34,894 --> 00:47:36,316
Donald: I ain't got
any extra money.
706
00:47:37,897 --> 00:47:39,820
Imagine being in a closet
with a hornet's nest.
707
00:47:40,775 --> 00:47:41,651
Man: You can hire now.
708
00:47:41,942 --> 00:47:43,319
Donald:You're going to get stung.
709
00:47:53,496 --> 00:47:55,464
Doogie:This past month
was really, really tough.
710
00:47:56,040 --> 00:47:57,212
I wasn't feeling very well
the majority of the month,
711
00:47:57,792 --> 00:47:58,133
and it kept me out of therapy.
712
00:47:58,709 --> 00:48:05,718
I hate even saying it, but I still
can't take a shower by myself.
713
00:48:06,342 --> 00:48:09,516
I was supposed to work till I was 60,
have a big blow-out retirement party,
714
00:48:10,429 --> 00:48:12,727
retire a Chief, and things
were going to be lovely.
715
00:48:13,307 --> 00:48:14,934
It wasn't supposed
to happen like this.
716
00:48:15,643 --> 00:48:20,274
You know, I still have large
dependence on other people.
717
00:48:21,190 --> 00:48:23,443
That's one of the most difficult
things with the situation.
718
00:48:24,026 --> 00:48:27,326
It wears on you.
719
00:48:27,947 --> 00:48:30,416
I feel like shit as it is, not
being able to go down to therapy
720
00:48:30,991 --> 00:48:32,618
and get exercise and
get your blood pumping,
721
00:48:33,077 --> 00:48:34,294
and get that social interaction.
722
00:48:38,624 --> 00:48:41,878
Right now, I'm rounding the corner,
on getting the driving thing back.
723
00:48:43,921 --> 00:48:46,845
It'll lighten the stress a
whole lot once I'm independent
724
00:48:47,425 --> 00:48:49,848
to where I can drive wherever
and whenever, and I'm not relying
725
00:48:50,177 --> 00:48:51,394
on someone fOf transportation.
726
00:48:52,054 --> 00:48:57,811
It's a really big step into making
me feel somewhat normal again.
727
00:49:05,401 --> 00:49:05,902
Man: Vacant?
728
00:49:06,485 --> 00:49:10,206
Man: Looks like it.
729
00:49:10,781 --> 00:49:10,872
Man: Hey boys.
730
00:49:11,323 --> 00:49:19,253
If they knock that down, if
they do, get out of here.
731
00:49:25,171 --> 00:49:25,842
Man: Come on down!
732
00:49:26,130 --> 00:49:26,756
Man: We're trying.
733
00:49:30,593 --> 00:49:33,813
Voices: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
734
00:49:40,102 --> 00:49:43,823
Man: Oh, fuck!
735
00:49:46,233 --> 00:49:54,163
Donald: Big challenge,
how do we get rid of this?
736
00:49:57,244 --> 00:49:57,369
Man: (laughter) Vacant structures.
737
00:49:57,953 --> 00:49:58,499
Donald: How?
738
00:49:59,079 --> 00:50:01,628
Seventy percent of our work
is going to this stuff,
739
00:50:02,708 --> 00:50:04,460
80,000 vacant structures.
740
00:50:06,587 --> 00:50:08,009
Man: How many does the mayor
have slated to tear down this year?
741
00:50:08,589 --> 00:50:10,262
Donald: He wants to
tear down 3,000 a year.
742
00:50:11,509 --> 00:50:12,977
Man:That's just a
drop in the bucket.
743
00:50:13,260 --> 00:50:14,227
Donald: Of course it is.
744
00:50:15,387 --> 00:50:16,855
This is whooping our behinds.
745
00:50:19,475 --> 00:50:20,943
This is breaking our
firefighter's back.
746
00:50:21,435 --> 00:50:29,365
It's increasing overtime, injuring
our firefighters, damaging homes next
747
00:50:30,027 --> 00:50:30,994
tO these vacant StTUCTUYES,
748
00:50:31,362 --> 00:50:35,117
making the City look ugly,
we're being defeated.
749
00:50:36,617 --> 00:50:42,215
We are so desperate, we got to
do something with this number.
750
00:50:42,790 --> 00:50:47,637
You know, I'm almost resigned to the
point that until we get rid of this,
751
00:50:48,921 --> 00:50:51,344
as Fred said, we're
just "managing misery."
752
00:51:02,768 --> 00:51:03,985
Host: Tonight on "Let it Rip,"
753
00:51:04,562 --> 00:51:06,564
the new Detroit Fire
Commissioner has been on thejob
754
00:51:06,855 --> 00:51:09,483
for only three months, and
already he's shaking things up.
755
00:51:10,067 --> 00:51:12,570
His controversial plan
is to fight some fires
756
00:51:13,153 --> 00:51:14,951
in vacant houses, but not all.
757
00:51:15,531 --> 00:51:17,408
Donald: I'm talking about
sometimes let it burn.
758
00:51:17,700 --> 00:51:20,328
Host: He's worked in Los Angeles,
but tonight, he's back in the city
759
00:51:20,828 --> 00:51:24,674
of his birth, with a bold new plan
to save money, and save lives.
760
00:51:25,249 --> 00:51:27,718
Mr. Commissioner, lay it out
for us, how will this work?
761
00:51:28,711 --> 00:51:32,090
Donald: I'm changing our aggressive
strategy on these vacant homes.
762
00:51:32,673 --> 00:51:36,223
When there's no one in the home, we
need to be more in a defensive mode.
763
00:51:36,802 --> 00:51:38,270
What I don't want is
an over-aggressive
764
00:51:38,721 --> 00:51:39,643
non-thinking firefighter.
765
00:51:39,930 --> 00:51:41,523
We are a professional
fire department,
766
00:51:42,099 --> 00:51:44,943
and we have to balance
the risk versus gain.
767
00:51:46,979 --> 00:51:50,529
There's not a building in the City
that's worth losing a firefighter's
768
00:51:51,108 --> 00:51:52,530
life on, particularly if it's vacant.
769
00:52:03,454 --> 00:52:09,837
Man:There's nothing within
100 feet of either side of this.
770
00:52:11,170 --> 00:52:11,921
Let it burn.
771
00:52:13,797 --> 00:52:17,017
Tony, let it go!
772
00:52:19,887 --> 00:52:21,434
Man: I thought we
weren't putting it out.
773
00:52:21,722 --> 00:52:24,976
Tony: Chief said put it out.
774
00:52:25,559 --> 00:52:27,482
Man: I think it's absolutely
bullshit that somebody would tell us,
775
00:52:28,062 --> 00:52:30,565
who's never been in a fire
here in the City of Detroit.
776
00:52:31,148 --> 00:52:34,618
He might have lived here 30 or 40
years ago, but hey, I live here.
777
00:52:35,194 --> 00:52:37,822
I know these neighborhoods or
whatever, and you never know
778
00:52:38,405 --> 00:52:39,657
which house has somebody in it.
779
00:52:40,240 --> 00:52:41,366
Bottom line, you never know.
780
00:52:43,786 --> 00:52:44,958
Man: Unfortunately, in
all the abandoned buildings,
781
00:52:45,537 --> 00:52:47,414
there's a lot of people
that squat in these homes.
782
00:52:47,873 --> 00:52:48,624
Reporter: How long
he's been down there?
783
00:52:49,208 --> 00:52:49,925
Man: He's been down
here for a week.
784
00:52:50,501 --> 00:52:51,627
He was coming down here to
get water, and evidently,
785
00:52:52,211 --> 00:52:53,713
somehow he couldn't get out again.
786
00:52:54,296 --> 00:52:56,424
Man: I mean, I heard somebody
yelling, "Help, help, help!"
787
00:52:56,715 --> 00:53:00,310
But from out there it
sounded like a little kid.
788
00:53:00,886 --> 00:53:02,604
I got in there and
it was a grown man.
789
00:53:03,222 --> 00:53:05,475
Man: Homeless guy, his
feet are frostbitten.
790
00:53:07,810 --> 00:53:09,983
Man: I'll call the
Commissioner uneducated
791
00:53:10,562 --> 00:53:11,609
about what he's talking about.
792
00:53:11,897 --> 00:53:13,899
For him to be talking
about this city,
793
00:53:14,483 --> 00:53:15,780
you have to be here for a while.
794
00:53:16,360 --> 00:53:18,362
You have to see it, and
you have to work it.
795
00:53:19,029 --> 00:53:23,034
So what other people consider vacant
or abandoned, or living in squalor,
796
00:53:23,617 --> 00:53:24,539
these are people's homes.
797
00:53:38,173 --> 00:53:39,049
Donald: So I'll park
so you guys can get
798
00:53:39,633 --> 00:53:44,434
out without banging
up my '86 El Camino.
799
00:53:52,980 --> 00:53:53,947
So this is home.
800
00:53:55,941 --> 00:53:58,364
Well, you know, you leave
work, you come home, you work.
801
00:53:59,361 --> 00:54:01,739
You know, and because I'm not
married and don't have any kids,
802
00:54:02,030 --> 00:54:03,407
it's just always working.
803
00:54:03,991 --> 00:54:07,541
Man, that's when I had a hairline.
804
00:54:08,120 --> 00:54:10,464
Lord have mercy, that was
back in my younger days.
805
00:54:11,039 --> 00:54:14,964
And this is the helmet I was
wearing when we had a fire
806
00:54:15,544 --> 00:54:17,638
on the eighth floor of the
Department of Health Building,
807
00:54:17,921 --> 00:54:22,552
and this was the result of
me crawling on my knees,
808
00:54:23,302 --> 00:54:25,805
and I crawled into a partition
or something, and I hit it
809
00:54:26,388 --> 00:54:29,062
and I put the dent in the helmet.
810
00:54:29,641 --> 00:54:32,235
So I tell the guys I've
been, I've been around.
811
00:54:47,743 --> 00:54:49,336
Craig: My first day as Chief 9.
812
00:54:50,204 --> 00:54:51,296
Man: You officially make it?
813
00:54:51,580 --> 00:54:52,456
Craig: I officially made it.
814
00:54:52,748 --> 00:54:53,715
Man: When? Craig: Today?
815
00:54:53,999 --> 00:54:54,670
Man: Today? Yep.
816
00:54:55,167 --> 00:54:56,009
Man: Congratulations.
817
00:54:56,502 --> 00:54:57,628
Cap or... Chief.
818
00:54:58,212 --> 00:54:58,929
Craig:Thank you.
819
00:54:59,421 --> 00:55:00,764
We are doing our rounds.
820
00:55:01,340 --> 00:55:05,470
We're going to go pick up the mail
from Downtown, and then run it
821
00:55:06,053 --> 00:55:08,727
out to each individual fire station.
822
00:55:12,643 --> 00:55:13,690
Craig: Hey, how you doing?
823
00:55:14,019 --> 00:55:18,115
Kids: Hey, everybody (laughter).
824
00:55:20,108 --> 00:55:21,826
Craig: You know what,
they're not even here.
825
00:55:22,945 --> 00:55:26,324
Engine 47 is one of the
browned-out companies, as they say.
826
00:55:26,907 --> 00:55:31,583
On paper, it's a fire company,
but it's closed every day,
827
00:55:32,162 --> 00:55:33,539
so all the men are dispersed.
828
00:55:34,373 --> 00:55:37,126
We've got like five fire
companies that are like that.
829
00:55:37,960 --> 00:55:38,802
It's quite a change.
830
00:55:39,378 --> 00:55:42,006
The phones ringing, and the
paperwork, the scheduling,
831
00:55:42,589 --> 00:55:44,262
and the manpower, it's
a whole different job.
832
00:55:44,550 --> 00:55:47,394
And you're not one
of the guys anymore.
833
00:55:48,095 --> 00:55:50,814
All of a sudden, you're
the guy saying, "No."
834
00:55:52,057 --> 00:55:55,106
Here it is, the TAC Unit.
835
00:55:55,686 --> 00:55:58,940
Their regular rig is out of service,
836
00:55:59,523 --> 00:56:01,070
they got this as a
replacement vehicle.
837
00:56:01,650 --> 00:56:05,746
The pumps work on it, we just are
not authorized to turn them on.
838
00:56:06,363 --> 00:56:08,616
Regarding the TAC Unit, are
we going to be using that,
839
00:56:09,199 --> 00:56:12,169
are we going to pump with
that tonight, or what?
840
00:56:12,744 --> 00:56:14,166
Man:Wejust got
in it with the Chief
841
00:56:14,705 --> 00:56:16,127
of the Department about the TAC Unit.
842
00:56:16,582 --> 00:56:17,799
Craig: That's for manpower only.
843
00:56:18,083 --> 00:56:21,212
It is not... orders are to not
let anybody stretch with it.
844
00:56:21,795 --> 00:56:23,843
Man: What did they say
about us using the pumps, no?
845
00:56:24,423 --> 00:56:25,595
Craig: I called after
they went back in service,
846
00:56:26,174 --> 00:56:29,178
I was told they have no record
of any changes, status quo.
847
00:56:29,761 --> 00:56:31,684
Man: So we're not allowed to pump.
848
00:56:32,264 --> 00:56:34,858
Craig: That's what I was told.
849
00:56:35,434 --> 00:56:39,940
Beginning to wonder if Detroit
doesn't put the "D" in dysfunctional.
850
00:56:49,781 --> 00:56:52,534
Donald: I had ajanitorial
staff of one individual.
851
00:56:53,702 --> 00:56:57,252
And we cannot afford to
keep him on the payroll,
852
00:56:57,915 --> 00:57:03,297
so we cut him loose,
it's budget cuts.
853
00:57:05,714 --> 00:57:08,467
You know, is that something
the Commissioner
854
00:57:09,051 --> 00:57:10,849
of the Detroit Fire
Department should be doing?
855
00:57:11,678 --> 00:57:12,930
Well, in these times, yes.
856
00:57:21,229 --> 00:57:24,904
Dorian: But, it was like Nala
was wrestling in the movie.
857
00:57:25,484 --> 00:57:25,905
Dave: Exactly.
858
00:57:26,193 --> 00:57:26,659
Dorian: I know.
859
00:57:26,944 --> 00:57:29,117
Have you seen "The Lion King?"
860
00:57:29,404 --> 00:57:29,870
(laughter)
861
00:57:30,155 --> 00:57:33,625
Dave: You know what
I watched yesterday?
862
00:57:34,201 --> 00:57:35,828
There was no Westerns on yesterday!
863
00:57:36,411 --> 00:57:36,957
Woman: Oh, no!
864
00:57:37,496 --> 00:57:37,997
Dorian: What?
865
00:57:38,288 --> 00:57:40,290
Don't you have the Western Channel?
866
00:57:40,874 --> 00:57:41,500
Dave: Yeah, but that didn't
have nothing to do with it.
867
00:57:42,084 --> 00:57:42,300
Man: I spent 24 hours watching...
868
00:57:42,876 --> 00:57:46,255
Dave: That was Direct TV, too.
869
00:57:46,838 --> 00:57:48,761
Dorian: So, no, no, no,
so there were no Westerns
870
00:57:49,132 --> 00:57:49,928
on the Western Channel?
871
00:57:50,217 --> 00:57:51,389
Is that what you're saying?
872
00:57:51,969 --> 00:57:54,222
Man: Sometimes they have like
shows where they talk about Westerns.
873
00:57:54,554 --> 00:57:54,895
Dorian: Oh.
874
00:57:55,263 --> 00:57:55,604
Parnell: No, it wasn't that.
875
00:57:55,889 --> 00:57:57,141
Man: It wasn't an actual Western.
876
00:57:57,432 --> 00:57:58,684
24 hours of a black-and-white movie.
877
00:57:59,184 --> 00:58:04,657
Parnell: Did I think about moving?
878
00:58:05,232 --> 00:58:06,324
Absolutely.
879
00:58:06,900 --> 00:58:11,622
But I work in my community,
I live in my community,
880
00:58:12,197 --> 00:58:14,666
and I go to church in my community.
881
00:58:15,242 --> 00:58:18,462
I do everything within
a five-mile radius.
882
00:58:19,871 --> 00:58:21,589
Dorian:What are you
going to stay here for?
883
00:58:21,915 --> 00:58:23,258
Parnell:What am I
going to leave for?
884
00:58:23,542 --> 00:58:23,883
I'm just...
885
00:58:24,167 --> 00:58:24,508
Dorian: What are you
going to leave for?
886
00:58:24,918 --> 00:58:25,714
So you don't get shot!
887
00:58:26,461 --> 00:58:27,883
Parnell: Well, cancel
the damn shot,
888
00:58:28,255 --> 00:58:29,507
I don't plan on being shot, baby.
889
00:58:30,090 --> 00:58:31,433
Dorian: Nobody plans on being shot!
890
00:58:31,717 --> 00:58:33,560
That's why they have to
be rushed to the hospital.
891
00:58:33,927 --> 00:58:34,428
Woman: Right.
892
00:58:34,803 --> 00:58:35,975
Parnell: I talked to
your Uncle Joe about it.
893
00:58:36,555 --> 00:58:39,024
It's going to take me a year to
get everything out of this house.
894
00:58:39,558 --> 00:58:42,812
Dorian: As long as you don't
plan on being in this home for more
895
00:58:43,395 --> 00:58:45,068
than a year or two,
I'm okay with that.
896
00:58:45,647 --> 00:58:46,569
Parnell: Two years max!
897
00:58:46,982 --> 00:58:47,608
Two years max.
898
00:58:48,191 --> 00:58:48,282
Uncle Joe, you know?
899
00:58:48,859 --> 00:58:49,781
Dorian: It was eight
months five minutes ago.
900
00:58:50,360 --> 00:58:51,282
Parnell: No, no, no, no.
901
00:58:51,570 --> 00:58:54,494
Well, I guess eventually I'm
going to be Downtown somewhere.
902
00:58:55,449 --> 00:59:00,171
I might go to a Johnny Mathis
concert if he comes to town, maybe.
903
00:59:00,746 --> 00:59:01,622
Dorian: Really?
904
00:59:02,205 --> 00:59:04,378
Parnell: Memories,
she used to like to...
905
00:59:04,958 --> 00:59:08,258
well, we used to like to sit on
the balcony, yeah, that was fun.
906
00:59:08,545 --> 00:59:09,137
Dorian: Okay!
907
00:59:09,421 --> 00:59:11,640
Parnell: It won't
have the happy ending.
908
00:59:12,716 --> 00:59:15,185
Man: You might be the youngest guy
909
00:59:15,761 --> 00:59:17,434
at the Johnny Mathis
concert (laughter).
910
00:59:18,055 --> 00:59:21,434
It'll be you and the guy
that takes the tickets.
911
01:01:32,022 --> 01:01:32,272
Nurse: How you doing?
912
01:01:32,856 --> 01:01:34,699
Doogie: (sighs) Okay, how are you?
913
01:01:35,275 --> 01:01:40,452
Nurse: I'm good, okay, you're
all set, thanks, you too.
914
01:01:42,824 --> 01:01:44,667
Woman: Hey, Doogie, how's it going?
915
01:01:45,452 --> 01:01:46,795
Doogie: Pleasure
to meet you, Steve.
916
01:01:47,078 --> 01:01:48,546
Therapist: You big,jerk.
917
01:01:49,122 --> 01:01:50,248
Doogie: Sorry, had to do it.
918
01:01:50,665 --> 01:01:51,507
Therapist: It's okay!
919
01:01:52,459 --> 01:01:55,929
Nurse: Do you ever have thoughts
of hurting or harming yourself?
920
01:01:57,088 --> 01:01:57,714
Doogie: No.
921
01:01:58,006 --> 01:02:00,054
Nurse: Are you on any
anticonvulsants, tranquilizers,
922
01:02:00,634 --> 01:02:02,636
psychotropics or hypnotics?
923
01:02:03,220 --> 01:02:03,766
Doogie: What's a psychotropic?
924
01:02:04,346 --> 01:02:04,437
Doctor: Hey, buddy!
925
01:02:04,971 --> 01:02:05,062
Doogie: How's it going?
926
01:02:05,597 --> 01:02:05,688
Doctor: How are ya?
927
01:02:06,223 --> 01:02:09,443
Doogie:The doctor here has
been in a chair for 20 years.
928
01:02:10,018 --> 01:02:13,818
He was a quadriplegic that eventually
gained the use of his arms.
929
01:02:14,564 --> 01:02:16,237
Doogie: Is that solid?
930
01:02:16,816 --> 01:02:17,317
Doctor: Stronger than I look, huh?
931
01:02:17,901 --> 01:02:18,402
Doogie: Yeah.
932
01:02:18,693 --> 01:02:20,070
It's nice to have a
doctor in a chair.
933
01:02:20,362 --> 01:02:20,737
Doctor: Okay, you passed the test.
934
01:02:21,321 --> 01:02:24,040
Doogie: He's not going
to bullshit ya, he knows.
935
01:02:24,616 --> 01:02:27,961
And this weekend is a
year from the accident.
936
01:02:28,536 --> 01:02:35,169
Anything else as far as where I
should be at the one-year point?
937
01:02:35,752 --> 01:02:41,759
Doctor: I think you're probably
about where you're going to be
938
01:02:42,342 --> 01:02:48,349
for the long-term in terms of
recovery of movement and sensation.
939
01:02:48,932 --> 01:02:52,778
I think you're going to be
in-line with the rest of us.
940
01:02:53,353 --> 01:02:56,857
Now, you know... when I got hurt many
years ago, I used to see pictures
941
01:02:57,440 --> 01:03:02,287
of those nerve cells growing...
942
01:03:07,993 --> 01:03:15,923
Big deep breath in, out, your
mouth open, again, one more time.
943
01:03:55,790 --> 01:03:58,634
Parnell: Anywhere that you look
up, you can see fireworks going off.
944
01:03:59,210 --> 01:04:02,931
And you hear them and the
dog's a little bit nervous,
945
01:04:03,506 --> 01:04:07,761
because we just rescued her out of
a fire, and now she's hearing all
946
01:04:08,345 --> 01:04:11,440
of these sounds, but
she's a good dog.
947
01:04:22,400 --> 01:04:27,452
Doogie: (glasses clinking)
Twelve years deep, and I'm retired.
948
01:04:29,407 --> 01:04:31,626
Everything I did to
supplement my income
949
01:04:32,202 --> 01:04:34,455
in the fire department
was all manual labor,
950
01:04:35,038 --> 01:04:37,757
hardwood floors, carpentry, roofing.
951
01:04:38,333 --> 01:04:39,710
I can't roof, I'm in a wheelchair.
952
01:04:41,294 --> 01:04:45,674
Nobody's paying me for
my mind, that's for sure.
953
01:04:46,257 --> 01:04:49,101
You know, maybe I'm not going to win
the lottery, maybe there's no miracle
954
01:04:49,386 --> 01:04:53,061
out there for me, you hope in one
hand, and shit in the other and see
955
01:04:53,640 --> 01:04:54,857
which one gets filled up faster.
956
01:04:58,436 --> 01:05:02,816
Jeff: He calls them
as he sees them.
957
01:05:03,400 --> 01:05:08,577
He's a straight-shooter,
that's for damn sure.
958
01:05:09,155 --> 01:05:11,533
Donald:This is probably the
most difficult battle I've had.
959
01:05:12,075 --> 01:05:15,045
And so far in life, I've
been fairly successful.
960
01:05:15,620 --> 01:05:19,045
I'm going to hang in there,
I'm not going to quit,
961
01:05:19,624 --> 01:05:22,423
I'm going to do the best I can.
962
01:05:23,128 --> 01:05:25,802
I don't want to fail now in the
backend of my life, certainly,
963
01:05:26,381 --> 01:05:27,348
backend of my work career.
964
01:05:39,769 --> 01:05:42,147
Parnell: I've got
approximately 11 working days left,
965
01:05:43,189 --> 01:05:47,786
and then I'll be retired,
that'll be the end of an era.
966
01:05:51,781 --> 01:05:55,285
See I've been with Gloria for the
last 35 years, and this is going
967
01:05:55,910 --> 01:05:59,039
to be different, totally different.
968
01:05:59,998 --> 01:06:02,592
So I don't know, I don't know
what that's going to be like.
969
01:06:03,168 --> 01:06:06,092
I don't want to think about it.
970
01:06:30,778 --> 01:06:32,200
Dispatcher: (inaudible)
Alarm Company is responding.
971
01:06:32,780 --> 01:06:34,407
Fire is reported in a dwelling.
972
01:06:35,325 --> 01:06:37,293
They state that a child is trapped
973
01:06:37,869 --> 01:06:40,372
in the upstairs attic,
in the upstairs attic.
974
01:06:41,456 --> 01:06:42,708
Reporter: A three-year-old
girl dies
975
01:06:42,999 --> 01:06:44,421
after being trapped
in her burning home.
976
01:06:45,001 --> 01:06:47,800
When help arrived, the fire truck
wasn't equipped for the job.
977
01:06:48,379 --> 01:06:50,632
But a tactical truck
was the first to arrive.
978
01:06:51,216 --> 01:06:54,516
It's smaller, didn't have a
ladder, and didn't have a driver
979
01:06:55,094 --> 01:06:57,313
who could use the 300-gallon tank.
980
01:07:07,273 --> 01:07:15,203
Man: (mournful singing).
981
01:07:17,158 --> 01:07:21,709
Man: Thank you,Jesus.
982
01:07:24,916 --> 01:07:32,846
Woman: Oh, Jesus!
983
01:07:44,352 --> 01:07:50,075
Man:This is a personal tragedy,
because this is my family, okay?
984
01:07:50,650 --> 01:07:52,994
And all I know is that everyone
985
01:07:53,570 --> 01:07:57,666
of these guys would have
risked their life to save.
986
01:07:58,241 --> 01:07:59,914
Group: Yes, thank you, thank you.
987
01:08:00,493 --> 01:08:02,120
Man: They did not fail.
988
01:08:02,704 --> 01:08:04,627
Who failed us was the City!
989
01:08:05,415 --> 01:08:10,717
Woman:Thank you, Jesus.
990
01:08:17,760 --> 01:08:20,229
Thank you
991
01:08:21,264 --> 01:08:25,235
(mournful singing).
992
01:08:25,810 --> 01:08:27,357
Donald: Oh, it hurts deeply.
993
01:08:28,688 --> 01:08:31,692
You know, I've seen my share of
life lost in the fire service,
994
01:08:32,483 --> 01:08:37,205
and you just wonder what could
we have done differently?
995
01:08:37,989 --> 01:08:40,208
Ms. LaRock: I'm mad
at the City of Detroit
996
01:08:41,701 --> 01:08:46,377
that don't have the equipment
to rescue our people.
997
01:08:47,790 --> 01:08:50,464
Why was a faulty truck
sent to my fire?!
998
01:08:51,044 --> 01:08:53,046
Host: Ms. LaRock, have you
heard from Don Austin yet?
999
01:08:53,338 --> 01:08:54,260
Ms. LaRock: No, I haven't.
1000
01:08:54,547 --> 01:08:55,673
Host: What would you say
to the Fire Commissioner?
1001
01:08:56,257 --> 01:09:00,057
Ms. LaRock: Fire Commissioner,
I don't know how you can feel
1002
01:09:00,637 --> 01:09:03,140
in the bottom of your heart
that everything was done.
1003
01:09:04,432 --> 01:09:08,528
There was faulty equipment
sent to my fire.
1004
01:09:09,103 --> 01:09:10,446
And I wish you were here on this
panel, so I could look you dead
1005
01:09:11,022 --> 01:09:13,650
in your eye to show you how I feel.
1006
01:09:14,525 --> 01:09:16,573
Miller: His hands were
tied by the legal department,
1007
01:09:16,986 --> 01:09:19,284
he can't say, "I screwed up."
1008
01:09:19,864 --> 01:09:20,786
My Chief screwed up."
1009
01:09:21,366 --> 01:09:24,040
Man:The person who lives the
next block over, next house down,
1010
01:09:24,619 --> 01:09:31,002
"they're going to think
it was our fault."
1011
01:09:31,584 --> 01:09:33,678
(alarm sounds).
1012
01:10:07,620 --> 01:10:09,714
Donald: Yeah, some
days, I'm beat up.
1013
01:10:10,415 --> 01:10:17,469
Three out of five, I feel like a
loser, can't seem to get ahead of it.
1014
01:10:18,047 --> 01:10:20,345
Every problem seems to
generate another problem,
1015
01:10:20,925 --> 01:10:23,269
and another problem,
and another problem.
1016
01:10:23,845 --> 01:10:25,722
I feel like I'm walking
in a mine field,
1017
01:10:26,305 --> 01:10:29,309
at any time I could sever a leg.
1018
01:10:37,442 --> 01:10:40,571
Craig: Tragedy like that, guys do
come together, that invisible thing
1019
01:10:41,154 --> 01:10:44,579
that bonds us all together,
kind of draws you in.
1020
01:10:45,158 --> 01:10:47,001
Dave: There's no way to
do anything but grieve,
1021
01:10:47,410 --> 01:10:49,879
and to get through the grieving
process, and the only way to do
1022
01:10:50,455 --> 01:10:54,631
that is to stay close to one another,
and just pull each other through.
1023
01:10:55,460 --> 01:10:57,337
Donald: I don't want
you to feel attacked,
1024
01:10:58,087 --> 01:10:58,929
I don't want you to feel threatened.
1025
01:10:59,505 --> 01:11:02,930
We can figure this
out, now, I tell you,
1026
01:11:03,509 --> 01:11:04,726
I know that we can figure it out.
1027
01:11:05,011 --> 01:11:05,477
Man: Yes, we can.
1028
01:11:05,762 --> 01:11:06,137
Donald: Why?
1029
01:11:06,512 --> 01:11:06,808
Because we're firefighters.
1030
01:11:07,388 --> 01:11:08,765
Man: We know it the best.
1031
01:11:09,348 --> 01:11:10,315
Donald:We're still DFD!
1032
01:11:10,767 --> 01:11:12,064
We the baddest guys in Michigan!
1033
01:11:13,019 --> 01:11:15,738
I want to let you know that
I'm in alignment with you,
1034
01:11:16,314 --> 01:11:20,364
I'm not against you,
I'm not against you.
1035
01:11:20,943 --> 01:11:23,366
We're all on one team,
"Here's what we did wrong,
1036
01:11:23,946 --> 01:11:26,745
here's what we're going
to do to improve."
1037
01:11:28,284 --> 01:11:30,161
Together, we come up
with the answers.
1038
01:11:31,329 --> 01:11:33,923
Man: Commissioner, straight-up,
we don't look at you as the enemy,
1039
01:11:34,207 --> 01:11:39,304
we're accepting you into the
family, I think with open arms.
1040
01:11:39,879 --> 01:11:40,926
Donald: And I perceive that.
1041
01:11:41,214 --> 01:11:44,343
You know, you have to stay positive,
it's all about leading, you know,
1042
01:11:44,926 --> 01:11:47,270
if the leader is all
shaken up and afraid
1043
01:11:47,845 --> 01:11:50,439
and you can expect the
crew to fall apart.
1044
01:11:51,015 --> 01:11:52,517
Craig: Give him the
benefit of the doubt.
1045
01:11:52,809 --> 01:11:56,063
He knows his business, he seems
to know what he's talking about.
1046
01:11:56,646 --> 01:11:59,149
If he can pull it all
together, you know,
1047
01:11:59,732 --> 01:12:01,154
more power to him,
go ahead and do it!
1048
01:12:01,442 --> 01:12:02,739
Let's see what you can do here.
1049
01:12:03,319 --> 01:12:06,664
Donald: Be seeing you again,
y'all better get back to work.
1050
01:12:32,807 --> 01:12:35,026
Craig: Commissioner's "Let
it burn" policy, you know what?
1051
01:12:35,309 --> 01:12:37,107
If there's no hazard
to nearby structures,
1052
01:12:37,687 --> 01:12:41,658
and there's nobody inside
the building, let it go,
1053
01:12:42,233 --> 01:12:46,079
I don't have a problem with that.
1054
01:12:46,654 --> 01:12:47,906
Hey, do not let them go in there.
1055
01:12:48,281 --> 01:12:50,409
Man: They do have a
door open in the back?
1056
01:12:50,992 --> 01:12:53,495
Craig: Yes, that roof
looks real shaky there.
1057
01:12:54,078 --> 01:12:55,580
It's collapsing right now, isn't it?
1058
01:12:56,163 --> 01:12:58,461
Man: Get everybody off the roofl
1059
01:12:59,041 --> 01:12:59,633
Get off the roof.
1060
01:13:00,209 --> 01:13:07,593
Craig: Hey, get the... hey,
get him out of there right now.
1061
01:13:08,175 --> 01:13:08,266
Who the fuck is that?
1062
01:13:08,843 --> 01:13:08,934
Get out of there!
1063
01:13:09,468 --> 01:13:09,559
Man: Get off the roof, Joe.
1064
01:13:10,136 --> 01:13:10,386
Chief said, "Everyone
off the roof," let's go.
1065
01:13:10,970 --> 01:13:18,354
Craig: It's my job now to make sure
everybody goes home in one piece.
1066
01:13:18,936 --> 01:13:21,564
I'll take it as a huge win that if
three years from now when I retire,
1067
01:13:21,856 --> 01:13:26,578
that at any of my fires, nobody
gets hurt, nobody gets killed.
1068
01:13:27,153 --> 01:13:29,622
That's all I'm really
concerned about right now.
1069
01:14:15,660 --> 01:14:20,257
Parnell:(horn blows) (laughs)
What's up, BK, you all right, man?
1070
01:14:20,831 --> 01:14:22,629
Good, call me.
1071
01:14:23,209 --> 01:14:26,088
Did you ever give my girl
in the Ford an invitation?
1072
01:14:27,546 --> 01:14:28,638
Man: Your girl in the Ford?
1073
01:14:29,423 --> 01:14:30,515
Man: Who you talking about?
1074
01:14:30,800 --> 01:14:34,225
Parnell: The woman
that's in that Taurus?
1075
01:14:34,804 --> 01:14:39,480
Man: Oh, wow, no, I didn't,
I don't know that lady.
1076
01:14:40,059 --> 01:14:41,060
Parnells: I don't either.
1077
01:14:41,352 --> 01:14:43,446
Man: I'm not hitting on
her for you (laughter).
1078
01:15:36,282 --> 01:15:39,161
Man: My father taught me,
never let anything beat me,
1079
01:15:40,619 --> 01:15:42,621
you can always figure out a way.
1080
01:15:44,040 --> 01:15:44,962
I'm a product of Detroit.
1081
01:15:45,458 --> 01:15:48,052
I'm one of those guys that I'm not
going to turn my back on Detroit.
1082
01:15:48,335 --> 01:15:52,681
Dennis: I'm an optimist, sol
see it, it's got to come back.
1083
01:15:53,257 --> 01:15:56,557
This City is too great,
there's too much history.
1084
01:15:58,054 --> 01:16:01,979
Parnell: For all the pain
that the City truly causes me,
1085
01:16:02,558 --> 01:16:05,061
I still love it, it's still home.
1086
01:16:05,895 --> 01:16:09,490
I'm a Detroiter.
1087
01:16:18,449 --> 01:16:21,248
Donald: Boy, I tell ya, it
feels good to be back in Detroit.
1088
01:16:22,369 --> 01:16:24,167
Driving down Woodward
drinking myVernor's, man,
1089
01:16:24,747 --> 01:16:25,919
this is the life (laughs).
1090
01:16:48,854 --> 01:16:50,948
Donald: As firefighters,
all we deal with is change.
1091
01:16:52,108 --> 01:16:54,736
And we know that we
got to fix this thing.
1092
01:17:10,334 --> 01:17:12,302
Donald: Hey, man, a single
guy only needs like one
1093
01:17:12,628 --> 01:17:13,971
of these massive potatoes.
1094
01:17:15,840 --> 01:17:17,217
I thought I'd be much further along.
1095
01:17:18,425 --> 01:17:20,769
Some mornings, I feel like
throwing in the towel.
1096
01:17:22,429 --> 01:17:26,434
It wears you down, you know, after
a while, 'cause you don't want
1097
01:17:27,017 --> 01:17:29,691
to let the people down, I
don't want to let them down.
1098
01:17:30,271 --> 01:17:33,024
Like every week I work here is about
a year off of my life (laughs).
1099
01:17:34,024 --> 01:17:39,076
But that's all right, my
grandmother lived to be 103,
1100
01:17:39,655 --> 01:17:40,781
so I got a lot of time left.
1101
01:17:55,296 --> 01:17:57,219
Doogie: So what do you
want to eat there, Smiley?
1102
01:17:59,216 --> 01:18:00,809
Angie: National Coney Island.
1103
01:18:01,385 --> 01:18:01,806
What?
1104
01:18:02,136 --> 01:18:02,887
Doogie: Somebody telling
me that I can't walk,
1105
01:18:03,470 --> 01:18:04,437
it's not going to kill me.
1106
01:18:04,722 --> 01:18:06,144
I have other things to worry
about, you know, like maybe trying
1107
01:18:06,724 --> 01:18:08,317
to start a family,
and stuff like that.
1108
01:18:08,893 --> 01:18:10,645
So all that stuff is still possible.
1109
01:18:13,439 --> 01:18:20,994
This shit doesn't happen
overnight, progress takes time.
1110
01:18:22,489 --> 01:18:25,959
Dispatcher: Detroit Fire
Department, the time is 07, 28 hours.
1111
01:18:26,869 --> 01:18:30,464
Congratulations, FEO
Franklin Parnell of Engine 50
1112
01:18:31,040 --> 01:18:34,294
from the Detroit Fire Department on
your retirement from Central office.
1113
01:18:35,044 --> 01:18:35,886
Man: Congratulations.
1114
01:18:36,295 --> 01:18:37,592
Parnell:Thanks, so much, Keith.
1115
01:18:37,880 --> 01:18:38,847
Man: Congratulations.
1116
01:18:39,423 --> 01:18:40,845
Parnell:Thank you,
I appreciate it.
1117
01:18:41,175 --> 01:18:44,645
Today is the last day that I
will be standing in this uniform
1118
01:18:45,221 --> 01:18:46,438
for the Detroit Fire Department.
1119
01:18:46,722 --> 01:18:48,474
Miller: So we're having
a few guests tonight.
1120
01:18:48,933 --> 01:18:53,860
Like the whole battalion, some
family members, some friends.
1121
01:18:54,438 --> 01:18:55,155
Parnell: Hey, Fred!
1122
01:18:55,439 --> 01:18:55,860
What's up, man?
1123
01:18:56,148 --> 01:18:57,274
Just glad to be on the job, huh?
1124
01:18:57,566 --> 01:19:00,695
Miller: I'm sure the fires will
be annoying and screw it up today.
1125
01:19:01,278 --> 01:19:06,284
It's hard to plan this
kind of stuff around work.
1126
01:19:08,953 --> 01:19:13,880
Oh, I want that piece.
1127
01:19:15,167 --> 01:19:16,589
Parnell: I think
they might miss me.
1128
01:19:16,919 --> 01:19:19,843
I'm going to stop by
occasionally and say, "Hello."
1129
01:19:20,422 --> 01:19:22,845
It's going to be different,
but it's going to be good.
1130
01:19:23,425 --> 01:19:26,053
Yeah, I'm going to stick
with that, it's still going
1131
01:19:26,637 --> 01:19:31,518
to be good, no matter what.
1132
01:19:32,142 --> 01:19:34,861
It's going great, absolutely great.
1133
01:19:35,437 --> 01:19:39,317
I'm looking at a true blessing here.
1134
01:19:40,234 --> 01:19:40,735
That was Craig.
1135
01:19:41,026 --> 01:19:43,905
Captain Daugherty, or
Chief Daugherty, now.
1136
01:19:44,613 --> 01:19:47,457
Yea h, yeah, wow.
1137
01:19:48,784 --> 01:19:50,627
Dispatcher: Two-alarm,
Engine 60 and Ladder 23.
1138
01:19:50,911 --> 01:19:52,037
Man: 60's and Ladder 23.
1139
01:19:52,621 --> 01:19:53,588
Man: Engine 60 en route.
1140
01:19:54,373 --> 01:19:55,841
Man: Ladder 23 en route.
1141
01:20:00,462 --> 01:20:02,885
Dispatcher: Two-alarm,
Engine 50, Squad 6.
1142
01:20:04,758 --> 01:20:12,688
Man: Chief 9 en route, Engine
50 and Squad 6... (sirens)
1143
01:20:20,524 --> 01:20:22,492
Parnell: Is it okay
to get my favorite kiss?
1144
01:20:24,862 --> 01:20:25,283
See ya.
1145
01:20:26,697 --> 01:20:26,822
Man: C'mon, let's go.
1146
01:20:27,406 --> 01:20:27,497
Parnell: I got it.
1147
01:20:28,073 --> 01:20:29,325
Yeah, he's got it.
1148
01:20:29,908 --> 01:20:30,704
I'll be seeing ya, man.
1149
01:20:30,993 --> 01:20:32,370
Man: See ya bro, see ya, hug, okay.
1150
01:20:32,661 --> 01:20:33,002
Man: See ya later tonight, bro.
1151
01:20:33,579 --> 01:20:41,134
Parnell: Take care,
see ya, thank you.
1152
01:20:44,548 --> 01:20:47,097
All right, Mr. Johnson, take care.
1153
01:20:55,267 --> 01:21:03,197
(siren fades into distance).
1154
01:21:04,651 --> 01:21:12,581
(crickets chirping).
1155
01:21:14,036 --> 01:21:14,457
Engine!
1156
01:21:15,037 --> 01:21:15,708
Engine!
1157
01:21:16,372 --> 01:21:16,918
Engine!
1158
01:21:24,588 --> 01:21:25,840
Miller: Where to?
1159
01:21:49,488 --> 01:21:54,039
Man: Engine 50, Ladder
23, Chief 9 en route.
1160
01:21:54,618 --> 01:21:56,541
Dispatcher: Engine 50,
Ladder 23, Chief 9 en route.
1161
01:21:56,829 --> 01:21:58,046
Box Alarm Company's responding.
1162
01:21:58,622 --> 01:22:02,627
Fire reported, 14467 Almont.
1163
01:22:04,378 --> 01:22:11,057
Engine 50 stretching on a dwelling.
96363
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