He spent 26 years on the front lines as a firefighter, 19 years as a paramedic and the last five providing essential care through the mobile healthcare unit.
SAN ANTONIO — Melvin Fitzgerald just reached 50 years with the San Antonio Fire Department.
“It doesn’t seem like 50 years,” Fitzgerald said. “I still remember my days in drill school.”
Over the years, he’s worked as a firefighter, paramedic and most recently, as part of the department’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare team. He’s part of a unit dedicated to helping San Antonio’s most vulnerable residents.
“I think this is the job that fit me, exactly what I needed,” Fitzgerald said.
He spent 26 years on the front lines as a firefighter, 19 years as a paramedic, and the last five providing essential care and support through the mobile healthcare unit.
“Most of the time, some of them are homeless,” he said, referring to the people he serves today. “If they need medication, we will go buy their medication for them. If they don’t have insurance, clothing, food, stuff like that, we will help them get what they need.”
But for Fitzgerald, the mission goes beyond just medical assistance and is about is about human connection.
“First thing I am going to tell them is ‘God bless you,’ and when I leave, I am going to tell them I love them,” he said. “God does say what you do for the least of them, you are doing for him.”
Through it all, Fitzgerald says the SAFD has been a second family, standing by him during his hardest times, like when his own home caught fire, to his battle with prostate cancer.
“When I get off work every evening, all I’m thinking about is coming to work the next day,” he said.
As for retirement?
“No,” Fitzgerald said.