Firefighters and police officers often say they’re part of a family or brotherhood, but for many area first responders that’s literally the case.

Twin brothers Michael and Alfred Segura often saw each other on the job — Michael fighting a fire and Alfred directing traffic around the blaze.

Both are now retired, Michael from Toledo Fire & Rescue Department (TFD) and Alfred from Toledo Police Department (TPD). Younger brother Anthony Segura is currently a Toledo firefighter along with Michael’s son Lt. Greg Segura of Grand Rapids, Ohio.

“As a kid you just think it’s the coolest thing,” Greg said. “As I got older, into my teen years, I really started to get an appreciation for what he does. I thought it was a great career he had chosen and I wanted to follow in the same path.”

Not surprisingly, family gatherings are full of “shop talk.”

“A lot of firefighters will tell you this is the greatest job in the world,” Greg said. “It’s not for everybody, but when it’s your family and you’re talking with someone who has an understanding about what a fantastic job it is, it’s like, ‘I’m in, I want it, I’m sold.’”

Greg is currently stationed at the newly renovated Station No. 3 in North Toledo, near where he spent his early childhood.

“I used to wander into this station as a kid, walking to and from my elementary school,” Greg said. “I’d walk in and say, ‘Hey, my dad’s a fireman, too.’”

Greg laughed when asked if his dad was excited when he joined the department.

“I was told stories that he was walking around the station almost singing and dancing,” Greg said. “He told me one of the proudest days he’s ever had was when I got promoted to lieutenant.”

For years, father and son worked at different stations but on the same shift and would often see each other at fires. For a while, they served on the same rig.

“We were working side by side, which was really neat,” Greg said.

“It’s just a huge honor, it really is,” he said of the legacy. “You get the stories when you come on the job and your dad has already paved the way. You start to think, ‘I got big shoes to fill, I better step up and do something.’ It’s been more than well worth it.”

Cop’s kids

Toledo Police Deputy Chief Don Kenney Jr. has been on the job more than 30 years. His father, Don Kenney Sr., was a Toledo firefighter.

“I enjoy the camaraderie, the overall feeling you are doing something good for the whole of society,” Kenney Jr. said. “Just knowing you’re out there keeping people safe makes you feel good.”

Kenney Jr. is the father of two Toledo police officers, his son Sgt. Erik Kenney and his daughter Kellie Kenney, but talks about everyone in the department as if they were his children.

“It makes me proud these young men and women are doing this,” Kenney Jr. said. “They are doing a fantastic job day in and day out to keep people safe. We’ve got a pretty great city to live in thanks to the safety forces.”

Kenney Jr. said he gives his kids the same advice he gives every police officer.

“Always give 100 percent of yourself so when you go home you can look yourself in the mirror,” Kenney Jr. said. “You’re not always going to be patted on the back for the good things you do. You have to do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Erik said he tries to follow his dad’s advice to treat everyone with respect.

“Sometimes you don’t get that returned but as long as you can say you treated somebody fairly it lets you sleep well at night,” he said.

Erik’s wife, Rebecca, is a Toledo police detective. They met on the job and have been married for five years.

“We worked on the same crew and one day we stopped a car that had two guys in it. I got my guy out and handcuffed. The guy on her side took off running and she started after him. I told her to take the guy with the handcuffs, that I’d catch him. That didn’t go over well,” he said, chuckling. “So that’s when we knew.”

 

For safety reasons, police officers rarely work closely with family, Erik said.

“They are pretty strict about that. For the most part, they keep families from working directly together and for each other,” he said.

“I always monitor both channels while Erik is working so I can hear what calls he’s going to and what he’s up to,” Kellie said. “I keep close tabs on him. If he gets into a foot or vehicle pursuit I do get more nervous, but I know that he is a safe officer and we all look out for each other.

“We always send each other texts when one of us gets a felony arrest. I usually receive a lot more texts than I send.”

Working holidays, weekends and midnights is something all rookies do, sometimes for years, Kenney Jr. said.

“There is a sacrifice in time with family on this job,” Kenney Jr. said. “When my phone rings in the middle of the night, it’s work and it’s nothing good. And it rings quite a bit. You just get used to it and know going in it’s part of your job.”

“My dad is more than 60 years old with the heart of a young street cop,” Kellie said. “To this day, he is still out going to calls with patrolmen and coming in on Friday nights and holidays because his patrolmen have to. This past Thanksgiving, he finished eating and got up to put on his uniform. I asked what he was doing and he said, ‘I’m going to spend Thanksgiving on the street.’ And he did.”

It’s a job all three Kenneys love.

“I am unbelievably proud to serve behind my grandfather, dad and brother in public service. I don’t believe I would be a police officer anywhere but Toledo; this is where my entire family has served. My dad is the hardest-working man I have ever met and I have so much respect for him.”

‘Proudest day’

Wayne Hartford has been with TFD for 30 years. His son Chris Hartford joined last year and is also a volunteer firefighter for Perrysburg Township.

“This is the greatest job in the world,” Wayne said. “Every day is different. The time off and benefits are great for families. You come into work every day and your office is a big, red fire truck with lights and sirens. It’s kind of exciting.”

Wayne said he never pressured his kids, but it means a lot to him that Chris chose to join.

“Besides my children being born and getting married, it was probably the proudest day of my life,” Wayne said.

“[Fellow firefighters] will say to me, ‘He’s a good kid’ or ‘He’s a good worker.’ That means more to me than anything else, to have the acceptance of my brothers in blue about him. That’s huge.”

Chris said he feels “privileged” to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

“It means a great deal to me,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always looked forward to and now I’m finally able to do it.”

However, it means Wayne’s wife has a “double worry” now that their son is on the job, he said.

“She knows we’re going to do what we can to be safe and be careful, but things happen. That’s just our job,” Wayne said. “[With Chris] I usually end all our phone conversations with ‘Be safe’ or ‘Be careful,’ and I know that he will be. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. But it’s always in the back of my mind, absolutely.”

Father and son agree the job has brought them closer.

“I really think we’ve become friends, not just father and son,” Wayne said.

Wayne’s younger son, David, took the most recent fire test and is waiting to see if he makes it.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be around long enough to see him on the department, but that would be cool,” Wayne said.

Father’s instinct

Firefighter Lt. Tom Viertlbeck of Toledo said worrying about your kids is just part of being a father.

His sons, Lt. Matt Viertlbeck of Whitehouse and Pvt. Andy Viertlbeck of Temperance, are also firefighters.

“It’s kind of fun to work together with your son,” Tom said. “We’ll be on runs and they’ll say, ‘Hey Dad.’ The first time Matt did it, it took me a step back, like, ‘Hey, my son’s really on the job.’

“I felt honored they would follow in my footsteps on the fire department. It’s a very rewarding job, a very challenging job, a great career.”

It can also be dangerous. Tom once broke his leg falling through an attic floor. In 2005, Matt was en route to a fire Tom was at when a vehicle collided with the truck, injuring four firefighters, including Matt.

“They know how dangerous the job is and they are pretty cautious,” Tom said. “I think it’s just a father’s instinct to worry about them, especially in this profession.”

Father’s daughter

Jenny Hill of Waterville and her father, John Leopold, who retired in 2008 after 33 years with TFD, were the first father/daughter pair on the department and Hill was the first second-generation firefighter/paramedic.

“I remember my dad coming home and I always wanted to hear about his runs, but I didn’t think about doing it myself until later,” Hill said.

Her great-grandfather, Clarence Ehrsam, was also a Toledo firefighter.

She said it can help to follow family members on the job.

“It breaks down barriers and makes it easier to meet people. They’ll say, ‘Oh, I know your dad.’ It’s a conversation starter, but you still have to find your own way,” Hill said.

Family business

Battalion Chief Mike Nicely of Sylvania didn’t always want to be a firefighter like his dad, retired Capt. Pat Nicely of Delta. He joined the Army instead and intended to go into teaching.

“Being in the Army woke up an adventurous spirit I didn’t have before,” Mike said. “We call ourselves legacies. It’s like getting in the family business.”

Pat said his most memorable fire was the two-day Willis Day Business Park fire of 1985. He and his crew were on the roof when they noticed it starting to crack. They got off just before it collapsed.

“I never worried about him as a kid because dads are indestructible, but I know my mom worried,” Mike said. “By the time I got on he was an officer, which is still dangerous but the probability goes down, and besides he was damn good at what he did.”

Pat was a drill instructor for Mike’s training and Mike directed Pat’s last fire.

“My last day on the job, he was filling in as a paramedic and it just so happened that his life squad was there before my engine and he directed my last fire, so that was kind of neat,” Pat said.

Pat said many firefighters don’t talk about their jobs with nonfirefighters, even family members. Even among fellow firefighters, there are some things many don’t talk about.

“I feel kind of embarrassed talking about things I’ve done,” Pat said. “I brought out three people in my career. Other than just saying that, I’ve never said that to anybody else. Two survived and one didn’t. You just happen to be there at the right place at the right time.”

Pat, who now volunteers once a month at the Toledo Firefighters Museum, retired in 2010 after 35 years.

“It’s the camaraderie and every day is different. You’ll hear that from everybody. You’re there for 24 hours and you become a family. You cook together. You sleep in the same area. I loved it,” Pat said. “I thought I was ready for retirement. I wasn’t.”

Five generations

Retired Assistant Chief Robert Schwanzl has a teenage grandson considering the fire service. If he joins TFD, he would represent the family’s fifth generation of Toledo firefighters. Schwanzl’s grandfather, Frank Schwanzl, joined TFD in 1900 when rigs were still pulled by horses. His uncle, James Hays, joined during the Great Depression. Schwanzl retired in 1998 after 40 years of service. His son Joe retired last year.

“My two proudest moments were when [Joe] was sworn in and when he got promoted,” Schwanzl said.

As assistant chief, Schwanzl was often called away from family functions.

“If you had to go, you had to go. It didn’t matter,” he said. “I got up from the dinner table a number of times when we had a house full of company.”

Schwanzl paused when asked if he ever worried about his son.

“Every now and then you might have a little heartburn over what you hear over the radio or what you see going on, but I don’t think I ever had any real concern because I knew he could handle himself and his crew,” he said.

‘Best friends’

Glenn Hill and his wife Meredith are both firefighter/paramedics. They work different shifts at the same station so one can always be home with their children.

“We’re best friends,” Glenn said. “We share stories with each other all the time and it’s so cool to be able to relate.”

Meredith was on the scene of the North Toledo apartment fire that killed two firefighters in January. Glenn got a text saying there were two firefighters down and CPR in progress. It wasn’t until later he realized the text was from another firefighter and not Meredith.

“Had I known at the time it was him that sent that and not her, I would have freaked,” Glenn said.

Meredith worked on Pvt. Stephen Machcinski, but he later died along with firefighter Pvt. James Dickman.

“To have it be one of our own is something I will never get past. It’s something I think about every single day and replay it in my head,” Meredith said. “[Glenn’s] been extremely supportive. We’re just a huge support system for each other.”

They met through ambulance runs to ProMedica Toledo Hospital, where Meredith was working as a security officer while waiting to hear from TFD.

“I’m always questioning him because he has 10 years experience on me,” Meredith said. “I’m always looking to him for advice.”

Both wanted to be firefighters from a young age.

“I always enjoyed the thought of helping somebody out. I feel like it’s my calling,” Glenn said.

‘Greatest job’

Jamie Ferguson of Toledo also always wanted to become a firefighter.

“It was still that little boy fascination,” Jamie said. “My dad was a volunteer firefighter at one point and I liked to watch them work. I never got it out of my system.”

When his son David joined, Jamie was proud.

“To say it’s a rewarding job would be an understatement. It’s not for the faint of heart, but you get to make a big difference in people’s lives every day.”

Jamie now serves as public education officer, giving fire safety presentations. Once he was giving a presentation when David fell through a floor at a fire.

“I knew he was OK but as a dad you just want to go be there,” Jamie said. “Now I know what my wife goes through worrying about me. There’s inherent risk in this job that you just can’t get away from. But you have to trust in the training and in making good decisions because you can’t dwell on that.”

On David’s first day on the job, he worked a double fatality fire.

“That was tough. But the good days far outweigh the bad days. It more than balances out,” David said.

“I like being of service to my community. I’ve always told my dad I would love to make as much of an impact on the department as he has, but I know I’ll never get close.

“It’s truly the greatest job in the world. My dad’s been telling me that since he got on and now that I got on I understand.”

BLURB FOR BEGINNING OF SECTION:

Inspired by our annual Military Yearbook special section, Toledo Free Press wanted to also honor the heroes serving here in the community as local police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, sheriff’s deputies, highway patrol officers, volunteer firefighters and more. Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as a surprise, but many first-responders we talked to were extremely humble and modest about their service. Many, especially police officers, shied away from the spotlight and declined to be interviewed or photographed. However, it was obvious in each case how much they cared about their community and how rewarding they fond their career. In many cases, their families were not as shy about calling attention to the honor they deserve and many submitted the photos you see here. We hope this small sample of the thousands of area men and women on call to keep us safe night and day serves as our way of saying thank you to each of you for your service, your dedication and your sacrifice.

—Sarah Ottney, Managing Editor

Cedar Point
First-responders, including firefighters, police officers and EMTs, can save $17 off one-day regular admission to Cedar Point through Sept. 1. The offer is available only at the park ticket windows and a valid work ID must be shown to receive the discount.

Firefighters Mass
The eighth annual Firefighters Mass will be held at the Historic Church of St. Patrick, 130 Avondale, at 10 a.m. Sept. 14. Monsignor Christopher Vasko will celebrate the Mass. All area firefighters and their families are invited to attend Mass and brunch at The Blarney Irish Pub, 601 Monroe St., immediately following. The first Mass honoring firefighters was held in 2007 when Father Dennis Hartigan dedicated the church to firefighters whom he credited with saving the church from a 1980 fire caused by a lightening strike. The church now contains an altar shrine dedicated to St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.

Chief Josh Drouard
Rossford Fire Department
Served in every rank: Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, Asst. Fire Chief and Fire Chief. Serving since Oct. 26, 1987.

Capt. Tom Samson
Rossford Fire DepartmentHasserved on and off the department since the 1980s, with current service since May 24, 1989.

Matt Giles Sr.
Rossford Fire Department
Most senior member of the department, serving since Aug. 17, 1987. Previous served as lieutenant; now a Firefighter/EMT.

Toledo Fire & Rescue ‘Fantastic Four’
Members of Toledo Firehouse 4 — or as they call themselves the “Fantastic Four!” From left, Lt. Bruce Cook, Pvt. John Harmon, Pvt. James White, Pvt. Eric Sherman, Chief Tim Clapp, Capt. Luke Harman, Pvt. Mike Pelechaty, Pvt. T.J. Romijn.

Pvt. Harold Simms
Toledo Fire Department, Station No. 4

Andrew “Andy” Iwinski
Toledo Police Department
Andy Iwinski was a familiar face in Downtown Toledo, directing traffic with a semaphore for decades, including on the corner of Superior and Jefferson, which became known as Andy’s Corner. He joined Toledo Police in 1922 and retired in 1968 after 46 years of service. He wore Badge No. 1, representing the longest-serving member of the department. More than 1,000 people, including the mayor, came to his retirement party. A cut-out photo of him signed by guests was donated to the Toledo Police Museum by his family.

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“He was very popular,” daughter Evelyn Nowak said. “He was the old-fashioned kind who helped old women across the streets. He taught us kids to be servants because that was what he was, a servant to the people.” He died in 1971 at age 71.

Pvt. James Michael Moseby
Toledo Fire Department
We love you and are so proud of you.

Rudy Hanzel
Firefighter/Paramedic withAllen-Clay Joint Fire District
Always my hero! Love, Mandy

Tom Gates
Portage Fire District
Thank you for all that you do! Love, your friends

Josh Maddox
Frenchtown Fire Department
Josh has served full time in the fire service for 13 years. We love our hero! Love, Your wife and children

William George Milliere
Sylvania Fire Department, Retired
Thank you for serving our community Dad. Your loving wife Judy; children Anne & Jim Valerio, Amy & Mike Pettit, Andy  & Paulette Milliere, Abby & Andy Blakely; grandchildren Alex, Hans & Chad, Drew & Nicole, Jordon & Mallory, Jeffery, Jillian, Andrew, Autumn, Austin

Ralph Green
Lucas County Sheriff’s OfficeHas been a dedicated officer since 1988 with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. He retires on Aug. 31. Good luck.

Deputy Chief Jim Rodriguez
Perrysburg Township Fire Department
Thank you to all the men and women who put their lives at risk every day to save others! And a big thank you to this guy right here, who truly is a hero! I’m proud to call you my Cootie! Love, Mandy

Det. Keith T. Dressel
Toledo Police Department
Detective Keith Dressel was born on March 28, 1971, at Mercy St. Vincent Hospital. He joined Toledo Police Department on Dec. 10, 1993, where he was promoted to vice/narcotics unit 812. His end of watch was Feb. 21, 2007, when he was fatally shot in the line of duty. His number was retired in his honor. An annual memorial motorcycle ride was established in his honor, which provides a scholarship at Owens Community College each year. An annual blood drive on Feb. 21 is also held. He is missed and loved by his family.

William Miscannon
Toledo Police Department
William Miscannon’s End of Watch was Sept. 18, 1970. He was shot while eating with his partner, Walter Shaw, in their paddy wagon. No one has been convicted of the crime. A scholarship fund at Owens Community College is named The Officer William Miscannon Scholarship Fund in Memory of Detective Keith Dressel. “I appreciate that dad is still remembered and honored,” said his daughter Diane Miscannon. “I am always glad to chat with someone who knew Dad as I was 10 when he was murdered and don’t have too many personal memories of him. Gone but not forgotten. Lest we forget. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Battalion Chief Orlando Gonzalez and Lt. Kari Gonzalez
Husband and wife serving on Toledo Fire & Rescue Department. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

Capt. Mark Benadum and Capt. Mike Benadum
Brothers serving on Toledo Fire & Rescue Department. Toledo Free Press photo by Aaron Geller

Steve Machcinski and Jamie Dickman
Last Alarm Jan. 26, 2014

 Toledo Police Athletic League (PAL)

Ohio State Highway Patrol

Swanton Fire Department

Oregon Fire Department

Perrysburg Fire Department

Lucas County Sheriff’s Office

Chris Hartford and Wayne Hartford
Father and son serving with Toledo Fire & Rescue. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

Greg Segura and Michael Segura (retired)
Father and son serving with Toledo Fire & Rescue. Michael’s twin brother Alfred Segura was a Toledo police officer and his other brother Anthony Segura is also a Toledo firefighter. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

Jamie Ferguson and David Ferguson
Father and son serving with Toledo Fire & Rescue. Jamie is a public education officer who gives community safety presentations. Toledo Free Press photo by Aaron Geller

Jennifer Hill and John Leopold (retired)
First father/daughter team to serve with Toledo Fire & Rescue and first second-generation firefighter/paramedic. John’s grandfather, Clarence Ehrsam, was also a Toledo firefighter. Toledo Free Press photo by Aaron Geller

Battalion Chief Mike Nicely and Pat Nicely (retired)
Father and son serving with Toledo Fire & Rescue. Pat’s cousin Greg Yingling is also a Toledo firefighter and his niece Lt. Kelly Russell is a Toledo police officer. Toledo Free Press photo by Christie Materni

Lt. Tom Viertlbeck and Lt. Matt Viertlbeck
Father and son serving with Toledo Fire & Rescue. Not pictured is Tom’s other son Andy Viertlbeck and Tom’s brother-in-law John Roesner (retired). Toledo Free Press photo by Aaron Geller

There are many local heroes I could name in our bright city of Toledo, but two immediately come to mind. I would like to recognize Steve Machcinski and Jamie Dickman — two heroes who will forever be embedded in our hearts, two heroes who gave the absolute ultimate sacrifice, two firefighters, sons, fathers and uncles who can never be recognized enough.

When all are running away from danger, it is our call of duty, as firefighters, to run toward it. To protect and serve the citizens of our great city. Steve and Jamie gave their lives selflessly and courageously. It is my prayer that they and their families will always be remembered, never to be forgotten, and that the sisters and brothers on the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department will have a stronger-than-ever bond that will only increase in strength and unity. God bless Steve, Jamie and their families. God bless the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department.

The Women of Courage continue to move forward in recognizing diversity and embracing equality for all. One of our many goals is to create a quarterly open forum for women to express ideas, share professional information and address any areas of concern.

T-shirts and patches, which support the Toledo Firefighters Museum, can be ordered via email at [email protected]. Gina M. Shubeta, a Toledo firefighter since 2001, is one of the organizers of Women of Courage.

Gina M. Shubeta, a Toledo firefighter since 2001, is one of the organizers of Women of Courage