November 14, 2024 • 27 mins
In this episode of 'Voices of Legacy,' we are honored to host Private Sheldon Collins from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department. Join us as Private Collins shares his experiences on the front lines, serving the Toledo community with bravery and dedication. Hear firsthand about the challenges and rewards of his role, as well as the values that drive him to protect and serve. This conversation offers a powerful glimpse into the life of a firefighter and the legacy of service that Private Collins is building every day.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
Welcome to today's episode of the Voices of Legacy. Today,
we're honored to have Private Sheldon Collins, future Commandant of
the Toledo Fire Department and Rescue Department. He's an information
officer committed to safeguard in our community and providing essential
updates in times of need. Let's learn more about the
(00:48):
invaluable work Private Collins does to keep Toledo safe with
information and safety. Good morning, Private Collins?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Are you today? Good morning? I'm doing pretty good. How
are you doing?
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Is it Private Collegs or should I say just mister
Collins or Sheldon?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I'm a private, but i'm my official title with public
information officer. I am Private Collins.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Okay, private college, Yes, sounds so official. Private Collins serves
as information officer for Toledo Fire and Rescue Department with
passion for with a passion rather for public safety and communications.
Private Collins plays a vital role in connecting the community
with timely and accurate information. His dedication you know, I'm
(01:35):
what do you call it?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Private? Hyping up? Sir? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Yeah, well, I appreciate that sounds good. His dedication to
his work helps ensure Toledo's residents safety with information. Information
truly is key. What portion of information helps you to
make us safe?
Speaker 2 (01:54):
With fire and rescue, anything that has to do with safety,
we kind of focus on the community first. It's you know,
we deal with fires, we deal with ems, we deal
with hasmat situations, we deal with high angle rescues and
water rescues. Anything that has an issue out there in
(02:17):
the public that we can deal with, we will deal
with it. We would go out and work hard and
do what we got to do to keep the community safe.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
You not to jump into controversy, but what do you
think is some of the biggest misunderstandings with the responsibility
of Toledo Fire and Rescue.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
The biggest misunderstandings from the public perspective to you guys,
some of them didn't know that we are on the ambulances. Also,
they didn't know that we were fire fighters and EMTs
and paramedics. You have to be that a full full
time fire fighter, EMT, paramedic to be on the department.
So when people would see us on the medic units,
(02:58):
sometimes they would wonder why we would be there, or
they would see us on the fire engine they would
call for us a medical We'll show up in a
fire engine and they would say, no, we didn't call
for you, We called for an ambulance, and we have
to explain that we're actually the same.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
You know, I guess a kind of funny bit of information.
As a child, I never figured out that paramedics actually
meant two medics. You just think paramedics, you know, that's
just a name, but it actually means two.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Right for us, it's just one. Yeah, Like for the paramedic,
that's one person and an EMT is the other person. Now,
we just switched over to the als BLS system to
where every red rig or even the white one, since
we were converting them over to red to our colors,
you have at least one paramedic and one EMT on
(03:51):
that and on every rig, on every engine, every truck,
every squad that we have, every rig that we have,
you will have at least one paramedic on there.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Well, that's pretty good. And I can understand the confusion
because I was in law enforcement down in Charlotte, North
Carolina for many years. As a matter of fact, that's
what retired. I didn't want to retire, but nevertheless, there
it's the paramedics or EMTs. It's a private company that's
contracted by Mecklenburg County here in Lucas County. I'm assuming,
(04:25):
as you've explained, it's.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
All one entity. Yes, yes, we're all one. We're all
in the stations, the ambulances, the fire rigs, the trucks,
the squads. We're all in one station.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Has that always been the case?
Speaker 2 (04:41):
At first? In the beginning, it was just in the
beginning of the history of the fire department, it was
just fire and then they eventually moved on to ems
and then in two thousand and seven around that time
is where we got the ambulances, and since then it's
been both.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
So private collings. How long have you been with Toledo Fire.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
To be fourteen years in January? Oh wow, yes, fourteen years.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I said before we were on the here. But you're
relatively young.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Fellow, then yes, yes, yes, I'm on the department. I'm
called old every time your old triple Yes, yes, everyone
cost me that since I was like one of the
oldest in our class. Oh, I was the second oldest
in our class. And in twenty eleven.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
What's the average age of someone coming in It could.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Be around I would say around twenty five somewhere in
that area. We hire at eighteen as long as you
got a GED or high school diploma. Okay, yes, how's
your recruitment going? Oh, it's going pretty good right now. Actually,
you mentioned that recruitment started for this hiring class for
next year. It started in August twenty second and it
(05:49):
ends November twenty second. So right now, our SERP team
is out there, which is community outreach, Employment engagement, recruitment,
and public education. They go out to see people and
do events and trying to get people to come in
for recruitment and different stuff like that, and they would
come meet them at the station to learn more about them.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Gotcha. So what's some of the things that would attract
someone to want to serve in this capacity.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You have to have the love for people. You have
to have the love for a muariety of yes, variety
of people. Definitely, our fire department is well diverse. We're
trying to reflect the city on how the city of
Toledo is and that's how we try to be. So
we serve everyone, and you just have to have that passion.
(06:38):
I mean, I started. I graduated from Bowling Green State
University in two thousand and I became a social worker.
I graduated with graphic design but minor social work. But
for some reason I ended up being just helping people.
But I do design on the side, but I just
(06:58):
end up helping people. I love. That's that's what I love.
He messed up? How's that? Ziggy zoom?
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Oh ziggy zoom?
Speaker 1 (07:11):
But yes, that's awesome. So you came from me, So
you're a local guide period. Yes, I was born and
raised here in Toledo. I went to public schools my
entire life, and then high school. I went to Central
Catholic Okay, And from there then of course went to
play football essential.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Then of course went to bowling Green Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
What are the primary concerns that you find when you're
consulting with residents in regards to fire safety?
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Them not understanding what it is you should have smoke
alarms in your home, because actually, two years ago on
the East Side, a family of six was saved at
night time from the smoke alarms going off and they say,
if they didn't hear it, they would have perished. Wow.
So smoke alarms is very crucial, having fire extinguishers, it's crucial.
(08:03):
But we don't want you to sit there and try
to fight a fire. Yeah, if you see one, you
call nine one one and we have come and you
get out, and once you out, we don't want you
going back in for anything. Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
So if you hear the beep, that's become somewhat of
a cultural thing with with all of the Zoom broadcast
and the media that people create at home, you hear
that peep?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Oh yeah, I hear it all the time, and it
gets me. I'm like, oh, you got to change that battery.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, well, it's life for that. I mean, we're laughing
because it is kind of funny, Yes, but life or
death that's not funny, not at.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
All, not at all. And you should have one on
every floor of your house.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Nine vote battery compared to well the alternative, right, which
is not good.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yes, yes, and that smoke is very deadly.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Do you offer anything to the public in regards to that,
like free nine vote batteries for everybody.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
We give out free smoke detectors, okay, and our serp
team goes around, Actually they just did. They was in
the Junction neighborhood area and they passed out smoking lines
one hundred I want to say one hundred and fifty
eight of them to one hundred and twenty four homes.
So that's a.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Technical yes, yes, yeah, so I guess with the smoke alarm,
hopefully with batteries, right, yes, yes, the battery comes with it. Yeah,
that's awesome, that's awesome. Can you tell us about your
journey to becoming the information officer? You started as an
EMT or did you start as a fireman? Or you
said you have to be both, right, you have to
(09:38):
be both.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Well, I was in social work and I was working
for a company called Connecting Point, working with kids and
then neighborhood properties, dealing with the Lucas County Minister.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
For Public Information with it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, it kind of fit. And I never would have
thought that. Never my wildest dreams would I thought I
would be here at this position. When I first came on,
my brother is a police officer here in Toledo, and
he said, oh, you should be a fireman. I said, oh,
I'm not running in a burning building. I'm okay, I'm
okay right where I'm at. Have you run into a
burn oh? Plenty? Okay, yes, yes, there's plenty of them.
(10:11):
So you lie to your brother, yeah, yes, And he
told me, he'said, trust me, you will enjoy it. And
this is the best career I've ever had in my life.
I can't think of doing anything else more than this.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Sounds like you enjoy helping her.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Oh yes, I do. And I wasn't anything when I
first got on, Like, I didn't have any certifications or
anything like that. We had to fill out do what
they're doing now, and then you had to be selected.
Once you were selected, you go to the academy and
the academy lasts about six weeks. I mean, I'm sorry
six months. The first part will be fire They will
(10:47):
teach you everything where you can get your Fire one
and Fire two cards and that will certify you as
a firefighter, a state firefighter. But then you have to
go through EMT class, which is after that, and then
you would get your EMT certification.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
How has all of that training and experience affected your
private life? And now I want you to get into
your private life. But on one thing that I can
attest to being in law enforcement previously, it puts a
whole different perspective on your situational awareness. As a matter
of fact, they beat that into your situational awareness. You're
(11:23):
aware of everything at all times, and you kind of
I try to act like I'm not, but I see
it here every day. How has it affected your personal life?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
It hasn't. Really, It's been for the better, let me
put it that way. I've noticed different stuff, Like my
sons they used to sleep upstairs with the doors wide
open and everything like that, and I would tell them, Hey,
you gotta close that door at night time because if
it's a fire, that gives you enough chance to be
able to get out the window, or give a give
(11:53):
us enough time to be able to get there. And
then when I started showing them stuff that can happen
during it, they was like, oh, then all of a sudden,
the doors was closing. So me being aware of different
stuff like that and being aware, like I would drive
down the street and I would see somebody sitting out
and it just made me wonder, Hey, are they okay? Yeah,
(12:16):
And because they would just be sitting in hot days
or something like that, and I'm like are they okay?
Then you'll see them move and you'll be like all right,
all right, right. So I'm just aware of just different
stuff that when I'm driving, walking, running, doing anything.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
I think it's important that we're aware of each other
and take care for each other. You don't have to
be emt or a police officer to do that.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Just be a caring person. Yeah, yep, yeah, that's all
you gotta be. You just got to care about people.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yes, What are the main responsibilities of an information officer
with fire and Rescue department?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It's a lot.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
You got about twenty minutes.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, Oh, it's a lot. Dealing with the meat, building
relationships with them, building relationships with everybody in the community,
understanding what they need, what the community needs, and what
we need internally. So I go back and forth to
try to figure out what we can do to help
(13:16):
the people in the community. And the people are internal,
people who are on the job, who's out there working
every day, hard, every day. So that part is rough.
It's a lot that's coming, but it's coming along. Have
to do with the social media. Also, have to being
able to understand what our vision of a fire department is.
(13:39):
So you have to work with Chief Allison Armstrong and
Chief Danny Brown Martinez real close, and we have to
be able to provide for the need of the community.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
So you're somewhat of an ambassador basically a liaison. Yeah, yeah,
Jack Trades, you try to I love it right now.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Oh, yes, I love it. I love it a lot.
I always ask if I do an interview, I always
tell them, hey, make me look good, and they all do,
and they've all been nice to me and I appreciate
them wholeheartedly.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Well, I can say you haven't cracked yet, so I'm
pretty sure it's not hard to do so without I guess,
getting into any information that you can't disclose. What has
been some of the larger incidents that you've had to handle.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I've been on this job, I mean in this position
since August thirtieth.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
So the biggest one is the hydrogen tanks that happened
like two weeks ago somewhere around there, and that's unusual.
But it was stressful because we had to keep the
community clean, yes, keep them calm, and keep them safe.
I got the call to come out and I say, oh, oh,
this is my first one, the first big one, and
(14:55):
I was nervous. And everyone was there, our people was there,
township well, watching the township and the news everything and
everyone was great. Everyone did a great job to be
able to keep the community safe. It took two days
for the hydrogen tanks to cool off and to disperse,
(15:16):
so people was going out I mean our crews was
going out there in rotation for two days.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Wow. Yeah, so that's literally trial by fire, yes, basically.
Well yes, well that had to be nerve wrecking.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
So public service and safety in the community and engagement.
What are some of the common misconceptions of that the
what you would assume that the public would have about
Tweedle Fire and Rescue Department. We kind of covered a
little bit, but I don't.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Really know really any misconceptions. Everyone just it is great
to us. Yeah, yes, the whole city. We go to
get our food to eat so we can cook and
every and everyone is just so nice. And I've never
really ran into anybody who had a misconception other than
what we're actually doing for them when we show up
(16:06):
and different stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
But overall, it seems like sometimes the badge makes people nervous,
no matter what the badge represents.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yes, they do get nervous. Sometimes they would ask what
are you doing this and that? So we just keep
them calm, We talk to them while we're treating them
and letting them know everything we're doing step by step
so that they can understand what's going on.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I got to ask, and this is full disclosure. I've
had two cousins serve both Sherman.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Oh, Eric and James Sherman. Yep, yes, and I still
have one that's still there, mister, yeah, I could tell you. Yeah, okay,
and I'm mister he just got promoted lieutenant like to
on the twenty seventh. Yes, yes, okay.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
So how's your interaction been with them?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Oh man, it's been great. Well, I've been knowing Eric
Sherman and Dame Sherman since I was an eddy bitty
little kid. He just retired. Yeah, yeah, yeah, and that
since I was real little. So our families go back
since I don't even remember meeting them. That's how long
I've been knowing them.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Oh wow. Yes, well, well I guess you're part of
the family.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yes, yes, I haven't had them on yet.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
I've got a commitment I'm putting it out on the
air that at least one of the two. Okay, definitely.
I've had my we go into police and law enforcement
as well with my cousin Ovi Tate, and he's been here.
He's retired as okay, yeah, right, at the programs that
you have in public safety, what do you enjoy most
(17:42):
dealing with the young people or dealing with folks our
age and older.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
It's just a different perspective. Dealing with the young. You
can see them grow, you can see the excitement in them,
you can see everything. And that's what drew me to
social work. And before I became a work and graduated
from Bowling Green, I was working for the Boys and
Girls Club during the summer. So I've always been around
(18:09):
and I was with the kids, and I was loving
being around them and having fun, and you could just
see the joy and just hope in their eyes.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Shout out to girls class.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Oh yes, definitely.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
I remember when the front of the building was a
parking lot. Yes, yes, a matter of fact, my dad
owned the building directly in front of it. All of that,
all the way from Detroit down to the church.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Oh okay where yeah, yeah, yeah, oh yeah, I remember
going to that Boys and Girls Me and my two
older brothers would walk and ride our bikes there every
day every day.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Well that's great, So you enjoy dealing with the young folks.
You kind of answer the question without answering the question,
but I enjoy Are people that are older more receptive
or are the young folks more receptive to the information
that you share?
Speaker 2 (18:59):
I think it's that part is about equal. Yes, once
they know that you're there for them, then they're recepted
for it. So that's why we try to go in
there with an open mind and not judge anyone and
be just help whoever needs.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Help, because generally you're just giving information.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Yes, that's whether they take it or that's it. That's
all it is.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
How has technology impacted your work in the fire department
and operations overall?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
It's impacted a lot. We have a CAD system, which
is a GPS which nine one one. If you call
nine one one, they will relay the information to us.
We would get toned out and we would get directions
directly to where that person is at. So it's helped
incredibly to be able to get to the people in
(19:53):
a quick manner and be able to help them. So
that's definitely one part. Our gear. Our gear is great,
it's rated to about a thousand degrees, but if it
gets that hot, it's it's you shouldn't even be in there. Yeah,
So it's it. It's a good and bad thing because
(20:13):
we can go further in the fire, but we should
still mind what's going on while we're in there. If
it gets too hot, then we have to back out.
But it helps us be able to find people if
we need to find them, or find a fire, or
do what we got to do while we're going in there.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Yeah, and I've heard some amazing stories. Matter of fact,
my cousin, Bishop Eric Sherman retired, he has a story
of falling through the floor, yes, of a building. And
then a member of our church, brother Fraser Great Freser,
who is with a fire department as well, he tells
(20:53):
the story of actual steel melting and seeing it. Yes,
fire's nothing to play with.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
No, it's not, it's definitely is not. But the training
that we get constantly. We train every day at the
stations we train, we train out at Owens. That's where
our training bureau is at with the tower. Yes, yes,
because we don't have one in a city, but we
would like to have one in the city, a training
facility in the city. But we hope that will come
(21:21):
along soon, We hope so. But we still get the
training that we do. We do. Like I said before,
High Angle we have a Bureau of Special Ops who
goes out and floor plans and then they will be
there for emergencies like the accidents that was on the
turnpikes and different stuff like that. They would get called
(21:42):
out for that. So we train constantly. I just feel
good about how well we are trained on the department.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Do you have access I mean, I guess this is
a random question. Do you have access to floor plans
for buildings when you go into them or if they
have them?
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Yes. Every Thursday we usually go out and to different
places that's in that district. That fire station would go
out there and we'll go and look. Actually one on
they just was looked at PEPSI I think it was
this week or last week. They would go in there
and look at the floor plan, talk to the people
(22:18):
that's there, find out what the emergency exits are, find
out everything, and then we'll come up with the plans
for when we get there how to execute it.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
So it's good if people would cooperate. Yes, definitely do
your fire inspections. It's definitely good. It's helpful. Yes, and
that's annual for most commercial buildings in it we do that.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Weekly weekly or is yes? Wow, like we'll go out
like Cruis will go out one day and be like, hey,
we're about to go to this location and get a
floor plan, see what it's like. Apartment buildings. We'll go there,
even elderly ones, especially because it'll be kind of hard
for them to get out, and we will figure out
how to get them out if something what's to happen.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Hmm, that's that's good. Well, so it's good for folks
to actually be cooperative when you come out. I've heard
stories of people not being so cooperative when the fire
inspector comes out to their business or what what have
you and our family again full disclosure. We have a
building on Calling with the historic by Boy Temple, the
Jewish across from Scott High School. Yeah, and I'm always
(23:24):
crop I want to hear what you have to say, right,
Please let me know if there's something I have to change, uh,
because that building's over one hundred years old.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Nice building.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
Yeah, and we want to hear and know how to comply,
not fight, right to comply. One last question, It just
comes to me the what you call it, not short
rave or radio, but the the emergency radio or whatnot.
People listen to their scanners scanners. Yes, thank you, thank
(23:56):
you for helping the host. Does that help you or
that people listen to those Oh?
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Yes, people definitely listen to those scanners.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Oh I know they listen yet And is the information limited?
Do you disclose everything over there?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
No? No, we have our own channels for if we
needed to get information out to like the hospitals, like
when we pick up patients and the ambulance or something
like that, we would go ahead and switch to a
different channels that no one can get to. Gotcha. So
it keeps the hippa together so that no one will
(24:31):
be able to figure out somebody else's information.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Got Yes, got you? So you pretty much do the
same thing that we did. Yeah, basically, yes, yeah, people
ask that question.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah, yeah, people listen to the
scanner's a lot. Well.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
I am so appreciative for you coming and sharing all
this information today. I think it's going to be help
I know it will be. But the final question I
kind of prepped you for this one. What do you
think your legacy with both your social work that you
mentioned as well as with public safety. What do you
think your legacy currently is and what would you like
(25:09):
for it to be.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I think my legacy right now is that people know
I care. People know I would do the best I
can to help people. I would try to go out
my way to help you, no matter what it is,
help whoever. I just want people to be safe. I
want people to enjoy life. I want people to be
able to do the things that they want to do.
(25:31):
And my legacy when I'm out of here, I want
people to say he loved God, he loved his wife
and kids, and he loved people. Awesome. That's my three yes,
good answer. Good And if you don't mind, can I
say hi to my wife, Chander Collins and my sons
Jamal and Jackson. Love y'all? All right? Two boys? Yes,
(25:53):
two boys. One is thirty years old and want to
be twenty one on the twenty fifth of this month.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Oh my goodness, yes, every guests, you look so young.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. See now,
I hope the whole department can hear that and stop
calling me. Oh man, you.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Heard it first here.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Private Shelton, public Information officer for Toledo Fire and Rescue.
We greatly appreciate your service to the community and all
those that serve Toledo Lucas County.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Thank you for having me and I was honored to
be here.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Thank you, Thank you for listening to the Voices of
a Legacy. This is your friend, Pastor Crome Mitchell, the third,
your host of this program. We want you to go
(26:50):
to WGTE dot org slash legacy to like, share, subscribe,
and here all of our past podcast and our future podcast.
Be a friend and join with us in the Voices
of Legacy, where you're writing your own legacy every day that.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
You live, have a blessed day. WGT voices around us.
(27:48):
WGT supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act
funds allocated by the City of Toledo and the Lucas
County Commissioners and administered by the Arts Commission
Welcome to today's episode of the Voices of Legacy. Today,
we're honored to have Private Sheldon Collins, future Commandant of
the Toledo Fire Department and Rescue Department. He's an information
officer committed to safeguard in our community and providing essential
updates in times of need. Let's learn more about the
(00:48):
invaluable work Private Collins does to keep Toledo safe with
information and safety. Good morning, Private Collins?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Are you today? Good morning? I'm doing pretty good. How
are you doing?
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Is it Private Collegs or should I say just mister
Collins or Sheldon?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
I'm a private, but i'm my official title with public
information officer. I am Private Collins.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
Okay, private college, Yes, sounds so official. Private Collins serves
as information officer for Toledo Fire and Rescue Department with
passion for with a passion rather for public safety and communications.
Private Collins plays a vital role in connecting the community
with timely and accurate information. His dedication you know, I'm
(01:35):
what do you call it?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Private? Hyping up? Sir? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Yeah, well, I appreciate that sounds good. His dedication to
his work helps ensure Toledo's residents safety with information. Information
truly is key. What portion of information helps you to
make us safe?
Speaker 2 (01:54):
With fire and rescue, anything that has to do with safety,
we kind of focus on the community first. It's you know,
we deal with fires, we deal with ems, we deal
with hasmat situations, we deal with high angle rescues and
water rescues. Anything that has an issue out there in
(02:17):
the public that we can deal with, we will deal
with it. We would go out and work hard and
do what we got to do to keep the community safe.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
You not to jump into controversy, but what do you
think is some of the biggest misunderstandings with the responsibility
of Toledo Fire and Rescue.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
The biggest misunderstandings from the public perspective to you guys,
some of them didn't know that we are on the ambulances. Also,
they didn't know that we were fire fighters and EMTs
and paramedics. You have to be that a full full
time fire fighter, EMT, paramedic to be on the department.
So when people would see us on the medic units,
(02:58):
sometimes they would wonder why we would be there, or
they would see us on the fire engine they would
call for us a medical We'll show up in a
fire engine and they would say, no, we didn't call
for you, We called for an ambulance, and we have
to explain that we're actually the same.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
You know, I guess a kind of funny bit of information.
As a child, I never figured out that paramedics actually
meant two medics. You just think paramedics, you know, that's
just a name, but it actually means two.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Right for us, it's just one. Yeah, Like for the paramedic,
that's one person and an EMT is the other person. Now,
we just switched over to the als BLS system to
where every red rig or even the white one, since
we were converting them over to red to our colors,
you have at least one paramedic and one EMT on
(03:51):
that and on every rig, on every engine, every truck,
every squad that we have, every rig that we have,
you will have at least one paramedic on there.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Well, that's pretty good. And I can understand the confusion
because I was in law enforcement down in Charlotte, North
Carolina for many years. As a matter of fact, that's
what retired. I didn't want to retire, but nevertheless, there
it's the paramedics or EMTs. It's a private company that's
contracted by Mecklenburg County here in Lucas County. I'm assuming,
(04:25):
as you've explained, it's.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
All one entity. Yes, yes, we're all one. We're all
in the stations, the ambulances, the fire rigs, the trucks,
the squads. We're all in one station.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Has that always been the case?
Speaker 2 (04:41):
At first? In the beginning, it was just in the
beginning of the history of the fire department, it was
just fire and then they eventually moved on to ems
and then in two thousand and seven around that time
is where we got the ambulances, and since then it's
been both.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
So private collings. How long have you been with Toledo Fire.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
To be fourteen years in January? Oh wow, yes, fourteen years.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
I said before we were on the here. But you're
relatively young.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Fellow, then yes, yes, yes, I'm on the department. I'm
called old every time your old triple Yes, yes, everyone
cost me that since I was like one of the
oldest in our class. Oh, I was the second oldest
in our class. And in twenty eleven.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
What's the average age of someone coming in It could.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
Be around I would say around twenty five somewhere in
that area. We hire at eighteen as long as you
got a GED or high school diploma. Okay, yes, how's
your recruitment going? Oh, it's going pretty good right now. Actually,
you mentioned that recruitment started for this hiring class for
next year. It started in August twenty second and it
(05:49):
ends November twenty second. So right now, our SERP team
is out there, which is community outreach, Employment engagement, recruitment,
and public education. They go out to see people and
do events and trying to get people to come in
for recruitment and different stuff like that, and they would
come meet them at the station to learn more about them.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Gotcha. So what's some of the things that would attract
someone to want to serve in this capacity.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You have to have the love for people. You have
to have the love for a muariety of yes, variety
of people. Definitely, our fire department is well diverse. We're
trying to reflect the city on how the city of
Toledo is and that's how we try to be. So
we serve everyone, and you just have to have that passion.
(06:38):
I mean, I started. I graduated from Bowling Green State
University in two thousand and I became a social worker.
I graduated with graphic design but minor social work. But
for some reason I ended up being just helping people.
But I do design on the side, but I just
(06:58):
end up helping people. I love. That's that's what I love.
He messed up? How's that? Ziggy zoom?
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Oh ziggy zoom?
Speaker 1 (07:11):
But yes, that's awesome. So you came from me, So
you're a local guide period. Yes, I was born and
raised here in Toledo. I went to public schools my
entire life, and then high school. I went to Central
Catholic Okay, And from there then of course went to
play football essential.
Speaker 2 (07:29):
Then of course went to bowling Green Okay.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Cool.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Cool.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
What are the primary concerns that you find when you're
consulting with residents in regards to fire safety?
Speaker 2 (07:40):
Them not understanding what it is you should have smoke
alarms in your home, because actually, two years ago on
the East Side, a family of six was saved at
night time from the smoke alarms going off and they say,
if they didn't hear it, they would have perished. Wow.
So smoke alarms is very crucial, having fire extinguishers, it's crucial.
(08:03):
But we don't want you to sit there and try
to fight a fire. Yeah, if you see one, you
call nine one one and we have come and you
get out, and once you out, we don't want you
going back in for anything. Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
So if you hear the beep, that's become somewhat of
a cultural thing with with all of the Zoom broadcast
and the media that people create at home, you hear
that peep?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Oh yeah, I hear it all the time, and it
gets me. I'm like, oh, you got to change that battery.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Yeah, well, it's life for that. I mean, we're laughing
because it is kind of funny, Yes, but life or
death that's not funny, not at.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
All, not at all. And you should have one on
every floor of your house.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Nine vote battery compared to well the alternative, right, which
is not good.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Yes, yes, and that smoke is very deadly.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Do you offer anything to the public in regards to that,
like free nine vote batteries for everybody.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
We give out free smoke detectors, okay, and our serp
team goes around, Actually they just did. They was in
the Junction neighborhood area and they passed out smoking lines
one hundred I want to say one hundred and fifty
eight of them to one hundred and twenty four homes.
So that's a.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Technical yes, yes, yeah, so I guess with the smoke alarm,
hopefully with batteries, right, yes, yes, the battery comes with it. Yeah,
that's awesome, that's awesome. Can you tell us about your
journey to becoming the information officer? You started as an
EMT or did you start as a fireman? Or you
said you have to be both, right, you have to
(09:38):
be both.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Well, I was in social work and I was working
for a company called Connecting Point, working with kids and
then neighborhood properties, dealing with the Lucas County Minister.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
For Public Information with it.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, it kind of fit. And I never would have
thought that. Never my wildest dreams would I thought I
would be here at this position. When I first came on,
my brother is a police officer here in Toledo, and
he said, oh, you should be a fireman. I said, oh,
I'm not running in a burning building. I'm okay, I'm
okay right where I'm at. Have you run into a
burn oh? Plenty? Okay, yes, yes, there's plenty of them.
(10:11):
So you lie to your brother, yeah, yes, And he
told me, he'said, trust me, you will enjoy it. And
this is the best career I've ever had in my life.
I can't think of doing anything else more than this.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Sounds like you enjoy helping her.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Oh yes, I do. And I wasn't anything when I
first got on, Like, I didn't have any certifications or
anything like that. We had to fill out do what
they're doing now, and then you had to be selected.
Once you were selected, you go to the academy and
the academy lasts about six weeks. I mean, I'm sorry
six months. The first part will be fire They will
(10:47):
teach you everything where you can get your Fire one
and Fire two cards and that will certify you as
a firefighter, a state firefighter. But then you have to
go through EMT class, which is after that, and then
you would get your EMT certification.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
How has all of that training and experience affected your
private life? And now I want you to get into
your private life. But on one thing that I can
attest to being in law enforcement previously, it puts a
whole different perspective on your situational awareness. As a matter
of fact, they beat that into your situational awareness. You're
(11:23):
aware of everything at all times, and you kind of
I try to act like I'm not, but I see
it here every day. How has it affected your personal life?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
It hasn't. Really, It's been for the better, let me
put it that way. I've noticed different stuff, Like my
sons they used to sleep upstairs with the doors wide
open and everything like that, and I would tell them, Hey,
you gotta close that door at night time because if
it's a fire, that gives you enough chance to be
able to get out the window, or give a give
(11:53):
us enough time to be able to get there. And
then when I started showing them stuff that can happen
during it, they was like, oh, then all of a sudden,
the doors was closing. So me being aware of different
stuff like that and being aware, like I would drive
down the street and I would see somebody sitting out
and it just made me wonder, Hey, are they okay? Yeah,
(12:16):
And because they would just be sitting in hot days
or something like that, and I'm like are they okay?
Then you'll see them move and you'll be like all right,
all right, right. So I'm just aware of just different
stuff that when I'm driving, walking, running, doing anything.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
I think it's important that we're aware of each other
and take care for each other. You don't have to
be emt or a police officer to do that.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Just be a caring person. Yeah, yep, yeah, that's all
you gotta be. You just got to care about people.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Yes, What are the main responsibilities of an information officer
with fire and Rescue department?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It's a lot.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
You got about twenty minutes.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Yeah, Oh, it's a lot. Dealing with the meat, building
relationships with them, building relationships with everybody in the community,
understanding what they need, what the community needs, and what
we need internally. So I go back and forth to
try to figure out what we can do to help
(13:16):
the people in the community. And the people are internal,
people who are on the job, who's out there working
every day, hard, every day. So that part is rough.
It's a lot that's coming, but it's coming along. Have
to do with the social media. Also, have to being
able to understand what our vision of a fire department is.
(13:39):
So you have to work with Chief Allison Armstrong and
Chief Danny Brown Martinez real close, and we have to
be able to provide for the need of the community.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
So you're somewhat of an ambassador basically a liaison. Yeah, yeah,
Jack Trades, you try to I love it right now.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Oh, yes, I love it. I love it a lot.
I always ask if I do an interview, I always
tell them, hey, make me look good, and they all do,
and they've all been nice to me and I appreciate
them wholeheartedly.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
Well, I can say you haven't cracked yet, so I'm
pretty sure it's not hard to do so without I guess,
getting into any information that you can't disclose. What has
been some of the larger incidents that you've had to handle.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I've been on this job, I mean in this position
since August thirtieth.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
So the biggest one is the hydrogen tanks that happened
like two weeks ago somewhere around there, and that's unusual.
But it was stressful because we had to keep the
community clean, yes, keep them calm, and keep them safe.
I got the call to come out and I say, oh, oh,
this is my first one, the first big one, and
(14:55):
I was nervous. And everyone was there, our people was there,
township well, watching the township and the news everything and
everyone was great. Everyone did a great job to be
able to keep the community safe. It took two days
for the hydrogen tanks to cool off and to disperse,
(15:16):
so people was going out I mean our crews was
going out there in rotation for two days.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Wow. Yeah, so that's literally trial by fire, yes, basically.
Well yes, well that had to be nerve wrecking.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
So public service and safety in the community and engagement.
What are some of the common misconceptions of that the
what you would assume that the public would have about
Tweedle Fire and Rescue Department. We kind of covered a
little bit, but I don't.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Really know really any misconceptions. Everyone just it is great
to us. Yeah, yes, the whole city. We go to
get our food to eat so we can cook and
every and everyone is just so nice. And I've never
really ran into anybody who had a misconception other than
what we're actually doing for them when we show up
(16:06):
and different stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (16:08):
But overall, it seems like sometimes the badge makes people nervous,
no matter what the badge represents.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Yes, they do get nervous. Sometimes they would ask what
are you doing this and that? So we just keep
them calm, We talk to them while we're treating them
and letting them know everything we're doing step by step
so that they can understand what's going on.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I got to ask, and this is full disclosure. I've
had two cousins serve both Sherman.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
Oh, Eric and James Sherman. Yep, yes, and I still
have one that's still there, mister, yeah, I could tell you. Yeah, okay,
and I'm mister he just got promoted lieutenant like to
on the twenty seventh. Yes, yes, okay.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
So how's your interaction been with them?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Oh man, it's been great. Well, I've been knowing Eric
Sherman and Dame Sherman since I was an eddy bitty
little kid. He just retired. Yeah, yeah, yeah, and that
since I was real little. So our families go back
since I don't even remember meeting them. That's how long
I've been knowing them.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Oh wow. Yes, well, well I guess you're part of
the family.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yes, yes, I haven't had them on yet.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
I've got a commitment I'm putting it out on the
air that at least one of the two. Okay, definitely.
I've had my we go into police and law enforcement
as well with my cousin Ovi Tate, and he's been here.
He's retired as okay, yeah, right, at the programs that
you have in public safety, what do you enjoy most
(17:42):
dealing with the young people or dealing with folks our
age and older.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
It's just a different perspective. Dealing with the young. You
can see them grow, you can see the excitement in them,
you can see everything. And that's what drew me to
social work. And before I became a work and graduated
from Bowling Green, I was working for the Boys and
Girls Club during the summer. So I've always been around
(18:09):
and I was with the kids, and I was loving
being around them and having fun, and you could just
see the joy and just hope in their eyes.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Shout out to girls class.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
Oh yes, definitely.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
I remember when the front of the building was a
parking lot. Yes, yes, a matter of fact, my dad
owned the building directly in front of it. All of that,
all the way from Detroit down to the church.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Oh okay where yeah, yeah, yeah, oh yeah, I remember
going to that Boys and Girls Me and my two
older brothers would walk and ride our bikes there every
day every day.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Well that's great, So you enjoy dealing with the young folks.
You kind of answer the question without answering the question,
but I enjoy Are people that are older more receptive
or are the young folks more receptive to the information
that you share?
Speaker 2 (18:59):
I think it's that part is about equal. Yes, once
they know that you're there for them, then they're recepted
for it. So that's why we try to go in
there with an open mind and not judge anyone and
be just help whoever needs.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Help, because generally you're just giving information.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Yes, that's whether they take it or that's it. That's
all it is.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
How has technology impacted your work in the fire department
and operations overall?
Speaker 2 (19:29):
It's impacted a lot. We have a CAD system, which
is a GPS which nine one one. If you call
nine one one, they will relay the information to us.
We would get toned out and we would get directions
directly to where that person is at. So it's helped
incredibly to be able to get to the people in
(19:53):
a quick manner and be able to help them. So
that's definitely one part. Our gear. Our gear is great,
it's rated to about a thousand degrees, but if it
gets that hot, it's it's you shouldn't even be in there. Yeah,
So it's it. It's a good and bad thing because
(20:13):
we can go further in the fire, but we should
still mind what's going on while we're in there. If
it gets too hot, then we have to back out.
But it helps us be able to find people if
we need to find them, or find a fire, or
do what we got to do while we're going in there.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Yeah, and I've heard some amazing stories. Matter of fact,
my cousin, Bishop Eric Sherman retired, he has a story
of falling through the floor, yes, of a building. And
then a member of our church, brother Fraser Great Freser,
who is with a fire department as well, he tells
(20:53):
the story of actual steel melting and seeing it. Yes,
fire's nothing to play with.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
No, it's not, it's definitely is not. But the training
that we get constantly. We train every day at the
stations we train, we train out at Owens. That's where
our training bureau is at with the tower. Yes, yes,
because we don't have one in a city, but we
would like to have one in the city, a training
facility in the city. But we hope that will come
(21:21):
along soon, We hope so. But we still get the
training that we do. We do. Like I said before,
High Angle we have a Bureau of Special Ops who
goes out and floor plans and then they will be
there for emergencies like the accidents that was on the
turnpikes and different stuff like that. They would get called
(21:42):
out for that. So we train constantly. I just feel
good about how well we are trained on the department.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Do you have access I mean, I guess this is
a random question. Do you have access to floor plans
for buildings when you go into them or if they
have them?
Speaker 2 (21:57):
Yes. Every Thursday we usually go out and to different
places that's in that district. That fire station would go
out there and we'll go and look. Actually one on
they just was looked at PEPSI I think it was
this week or last week. They would go in there
and look at the floor plan, talk to the people
(22:18):
that's there, find out what the emergency exits are, find
out everything, and then we'll come up with the plans
for when we get there how to execute it.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
So it's good if people would cooperate. Yes, definitely do
your fire inspections. It's definitely good. It's helpful. Yes, and
that's annual for most commercial buildings in it we do that.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Weekly weekly or is yes? Wow, like we'll go out
like Cruis will go out one day and be like, hey,
we're about to go to this location and get a
floor plan, see what it's like. Apartment buildings. We'll go there,
even elderly ones, especially because it'll be kind of hard
for them to get out, and we will figure out
how to get them out if something what's to happen.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Hmm, that's that's good. Well, so it's good for folks
to actually be cooperative when you come out. I've heard
stories of people not being so cooperative when the fire
inspector comes out to their business or what what have
you and our family again full disclosure. We have a
building on Calling with the historic by Boy Temple, the
Jewish across from Scott High School. Yeah, and I'm always
(23:24):
crop I want to hear what you have to say, right,
Please let me know if there's something I have to change, uh,
because that building's over one hundred years old.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Nice building.
Speaker 1 (23:33):
Yeah, and we want to hear and know how to comply,
not fight, right to comply. One last question, It just
comes to me the what you call it, not short
rave or radio, but the the emergency radio or whatnot.
People listen to their scanners scanners. Yes, thank you, thank
(23:56):
you for helping the host. Does that help you or
that people listen to those Oh?
Speaker 2 (24:02):
Yes, people definitely listen to those scanners.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
Oh I know they listen yet And is the information limited?
Do you disclose everything over there?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
No? No, we have our own channels for if we
needed to get information out to like the hospitals, like
when we pick up patients and the ambulance or something
like that, we would go ahead and switch to a
different channels that no one can get to. Gotcha. So
it keeps the hippa together so that no one will
(24:31):
be able to figure out somebody else's information.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Got Yes, got you? So you pretty much do the
same thing that we did. Yeah, basically, yes, yeah, people
ask that question.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Oh yeah, yeah, oh yeah, yeah, people listen to the
scanner's a lot. Well.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
I am so appreciative for you coming and sharing all
this information today. I think it's going to be help
I know it will be. But the final question I
kind of prepped you for this one. What do you
think your legacy with both your social work that you
mentioned as well as with public safety. What do you
think your legacy currently is and what would you like
(25:09):
for it to be.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
I think my legacy right now is that people know
I care. People know I would do the best I
can to help people. I would try to go out
my way to help you, no matter what it is,
help whoever. I just want people to be safe. I
want people to enjoy life. I want people to be
able to do the things that they want to do.
(25:31):
And my legacy when I'm out of here, I want
people to say he loved God, he loved his wife
and kids, and he loved people. Awesome. That's my three yes,
good answer. Good And if you don't mind, can I
say hi to my wife, Chander Collins and my sons
Jamal and Jackson. Love y'all? All right? Two boys? Yes,
(25:53):
two boys. One is thirty years old and want to
be twenty one on the twenty fifth of this month.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Oh my goodness, yes, every guests, you look so young.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. See now,
I hope the whole department can hear that and stop
calling me. Oh man, you.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Heard it first here.
Speaker 2 (26:12):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Private Shelton, public Information officer for Toledo Fire and Rescue.
We greatly appreciate your service to the community and all
those that serve Toledo Lucas County.
Speaker 2 (26:25):
Thank you for having me and I was honored to
be here.
Speaker 1 (26:28):
Thank you, Thank you for listening to the Voices of
a Legacy. This is your friend, Pastor Crome Mitchell, the third,
your host of this program. We want you to go
(26:50):
to WGTE dot org slash legacy to like, share, subscribe,
and here all of our past podcast and our future podcast.
Be a friend and join with us in the Voices
of Legacy, where you're writing your own legacy every day that.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
You live, have a blessed day. WGT voices around us.
(27:48):
WGT supported in part by the American Rescue Plan Act
funds allocated by the City of Toledo and the Lucas
County Commissioners and administered by the Arts Commission
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.