Tragic moments took toll on retired fireman
Retired Butler firefighter Lt. Don McCoy wouldn’t change anything about his career in public service, but he said he has seen enough tragedy and was ready to hang up his uniform.
The fire department honored McCoy, 43, who retired in May, for his 17 years of service at a recent retirement dinner.
His six years as a U.S. Marine, under the union contact, allowed him to end his career with the city with 20 years of service.
Although he still wears one uniform, working for Butler Ambulance Service, he said he has seen enough to know it was time to leave the fire department.
“I was ready to get out of uniform. My eyes have seen too much and sometimes I can’t erase the memories. It definitely takes a toll,” McCoy said.
Fighting the fire that leveled the landmark Morgan Management building on Brugh Avenue in 2003 and another that severely damaged the Worsley’s building on Main Street two years ago won’t be forgotten.
He said those were among the biggest fires he battled, but his worst day on the job was March 21 when he responded to a parking lot in Butler to help a 4-year-old boy. The boy later died of his injuries and first-degree homicide charges were filed in connection to his death.
The city fire and police departments responded along with Butler Ambulance Service.
“We did our best to save that boy,” McCoy said. “It just didn’t turn out good. My son is about two month younger. It was almost like looking at my boy.
“You get a career that you want to help people and be there for them. In a long career, you’re bound to see something like that at some point.”
He said he tells newly hired paramedics at the ambulance service about the incident so they can try to prepare themselves.
“You need young employees to replace us before we’re mentally broke down. It’s tough, but we all chose that career. We know the chances are there, but you hope it never happens.
“You never want to see a kid or adult like that. Something about kid calls — they’re 10 times worse,” McCoy said.
While he worked for the department, he also worked part-time as a corrections officer at the Butler County Prison and that experience helped him land a corrections officer job in Maine, where he moved his family when he retired.
“I did enjoy it. I was looking for another career. I got an interview and they pretty much hired me on the spot,” McCoy said.
After six months in Maine, he said his wife became pregnant with their sixth child and they decided come back to Pennsylvania and settle in Ford City, where his wife has family.
In addition to working for the ambulance service, he said he just got a job at Penn United Technologies in Jefferson Township.
“I’ve done just about everything,” McCoy said.
The fire department holds a catered retirement dinner in the fire station every year for all firefighters who retired during the preceding year. Current and retired firefighters are the only people on the guest list.
“You share stories among those who understand. Sometimes you don’t want to talk about stuff in your career around family, but it does come home with you because you need someone to talk to,” McCoy said.
“It’s been a great career and I wouldn’t change anything about it, but it’s time to work toward another pension.”
