Most people will go their entire life and never get a chance to actually meet a firefighter. If they do get to, it's usually during an emergency and they don't really get to know them.
In this edition of "Get to Know a Firefighter" we introduce Captain Mike Friley. As always, our goal is to let you see into our world in the hopes that you realize we are just ordinary men and women doing an extraordinary job.
DISPATCH: What is your name?
MIKE: Mike Friley.
DISPATCH: Where are you from?
MIKE: Florida.
DISPATCH: How long have you been a firefighter?
MIKE: Since 1994.
DISPATCH: How long have you worked for the City of Oak Ridge?
MIKE: 12 years.
DISPATCH: Were you a firefighter before you came to work for ORFD?
MIKE: Yes. At Rural Metro Fire Department.
DISPATCH: Are you married?
MIKE: Yes, to Joy.
DISPATCH: Do you have any children?
MIKE: Yes. We have 2.
DISPATCH: How old are they?
MIKE: Hannah is 15 and Jonah is 11.
DISPATCH: What was your job before you became a firefighter?
MIKE: I was a Paramedic for Anderson County Ambulance Service. Before that I was a deckhand and bouncer on the Knoxville Riverboat for college parties. It's hard to throw someone out of a bar when it's in the middle of the river.
DISPATCH: Why did you want to become a firefighter?
MIKE: It seemed like a challenging job where every day would be something different. That has definitely held true.
DISPATCH: What is your favorite thing about being a firefighter?
MIKE: Definitely, the other firefighters. Firefighting is a team effort. Without each other, we can't accomplish a thing. I have also found firefighters to be some of the most resourceful people I've ever met and most of them love their job.
DISPATCH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
MIKE: I once won an essay contest at Fulton High School writing about Black History month. My English teacher had to come get me out of in-school suspension to accept the award. Ironically, I was there because I had skipped her class.
Capt. Mike Friley
