Artticle by Maya Jean Kasch
This past month I have had the opportunity to interview, Lieutenant Brent Jones, a 20-year veteran of the Milwaukee Fire Department. For the past 20 years Lt. Jones’s devotion to duty and thorough training has not only allowed him to save lives but has earned him the respect and admiration of the people he has served. During my interview with Lt. Jones, we discussed a wide variety of topics including the Black Lives Matter movement, the death and shooting of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmad Arbery. As well as the Coronavirus pandemic and what steps we should take moving forward. During my interview, Lt. Jones made it clear that during this very unique and challenging time it is important that as a society we not only advocate for change but that we practice humanity.
“ There is good and bad in every profession,” Said Jones, “ no matter what profession you’re in, 90% of people in that profession show up, do their jobs, and go above and beyond and try to make a difference but, we only notice the 10% of people who don’t take their jobs seriously. “ Or abuse those privileges of that said job “there are so many good people trying to make a difference and trying to make the world a better place.”
Several days after my interview with Lt. Jones I had the pleasure of interviewing Firefighter and Paramedic Zach Ginster. During my interview, I asked Ginster “ How does it feel to be a Firefighter and to be able to represent the City of Milwaukee?” ” It’s a good feeling,” said the 26-year-old Milwaukee native “being able to say I’m a Firefighter for the City of Milwaukee, knowing that you’re making a difference every day. ” Ginster is one of the 800 firefighters in the city of Milwaukee who have taken extraordinary precautions to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus, whether that’s by strictly wearing a surgical or N95 mask when responding to calls, practicing social distancing while in the firehouse, or even sanitizing and wiping down the hand railings and other germ infectious surfaces and only being allowed to remove their surgical mask and N95 when returning from a call and when eating meals. This is what many firefighters and paramedics have now referred to as the new normal as they continue to follow CDC ( The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines .
After my interview with Ginster, I can honestly say that he not only cares tremendously about the Milwaukee community but is very kind, hard-working, and compassionate. For the past four years, Ginster has not only served but has protected the Milwaukee community. For those of you who don’t remember Ginster was one of three paramedics who responded to the triple shooting that happened near 10th and Burleigh Sunday, August 10th, 2018. Resulting in Milwaukee’s 12th homicide in 12 days. One man was killed and two boys were hurt, including 4-year-old Erik “ Doobie” Williams. Williams Suffered 4 gun wounds one in his left hand, one in the right hand, and Two in the chest. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Ginster, The Milwaukee Police Department, and other fire personnel Williams not only survived the shooting but celebrated his fifth birthday at Chuck E Cheese one month later.
My interview with Lt. Jones and Zachry Ginster was very eye-opening and inspiring. I am humbled by and grateful for their dedication to protecting the Milwaukee community. And has inspired me to write this article to honor the heart and heroism of the members of the Milwaukee Fire Department for their courage, commitment, and sacrifice. As they are one of the many essential workers who are the backbone of this pandemic.
During these very unique and challenging times it is important that as a community that we acknowledge the Milwaukee Fire Department for their hard work and efforts in keeping our families safe. And on behalf of the City of Milwaukee, I wanted to say thank you to the Milwaukee Fire Department for their dedication, time, and service. As a journalist and soon to be English teacher I understand that this article can’t end police brutality or find a cure for the novelty Coronavirus. However, I know that if this article can do anything, it can spark change, start a conversation, shine a light on tough topics such as police brutality and systemic racism in America.
As Judy Hops said in the 2015 academy award-winning film Zootopia “ Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you.”
–Maya Jean Kasch is a senior at Alverno College majoring in English, Secondary Education and minoring in Special Education.