Ralph Haynes Retires from San Diego Fire-Rescue

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Station 17 in San Diego, California, nicknamed "The Hub," is one of the busiest stations in the county. Fire Captain Ralph Haynes dedicated over a decade to this station and is now retiring. Haynes reminisces about what it was like when he first started working at Station 17 when he says, "This is the ghetto. This is a urban, bad place here. What I wanted to do was bring the neighbors as our neighbors because that's what good firefighters are. Good firefighters are good neighbors. Usually the people would wave at us first in other parts of town, but over here nobody would wave at us. If they did wave at us, it wasn't the wave that we wanted to see."

Kim Tower, EMT for Station 17, describes how the Fire Captain wanted to get involved with the community when she explains, "When they first came in, he told his crew 'Ya know I want you to wave to our neighbors. I want to become their friends.' And now, when we leave, and there's neighbors walking down the street, they're waving and they've got big smiles."

Neighbors came by the station on his last day of work to shower him with gifts and farewells. Not only do neighbors love him, but countless uniformed officers from all over stopped by to wish him well. Todd Betchel, with San Diego Fire Rescue at Station 22, took 8 hours off, along with many others who came to celebrate his 36-year career.

Many firefighters tell stories of how they give Ralph Haynes credit for positively impacting their lives. Haynes tells a story of a firefighter who was having a difficult time during the Fire Academy. He pulled him aside to show him love and support. The firefighter came around, and he made it through even though he thought he was at the brink of failing the Academy.

Ralph Haynes was a hose lay Instructor at the San Diego Fire-Rescue Academy, along with long time friend and fellow Chaplain Charles Mullen. Haynes claims Mullen once saved his life on a structure fire call, and Mullen says Haynes saved his life spiritually. Retired Battalion Chief Mullen also credits his blueberry pancake making abilities to the retiring Captain. Ralph Haynes and Charles Mullen will continue to be Chaplains for the San Diego Fire Department. Mullen comments on how Haynes will continue to touch people's lives by ministering, "He's not retiring. He's just moving from one position to another one."


Author:Deanne Goodman - Video, Renée Marquart - Text