McKeesport fire Capt. Jim Shields retires after 25 years
By Sarah Pellis
spellis@yourmvi.com
To McKeesport area firefighters, Capt. Jim Shields has been “universally loved” city wide, and is considered a memorable, dedicated and fun part of their family.
After 25 years of service, Shields retired Wednesday at the Renzie No. 2 fire station.
His fellow firefighters hosted a breakfast in his honor at the station, and had a handful of events planned for him — including lunch, cake, visitors from around the area and the off-duty guys celebrated with Shields after his final shift at Clancy’s in Dravosburg.
And, keeping with fire department tradition, a bucket of water was dumped over Shields, as he laughed and soaked up the moment.
Shields started his career in public service as a volunteer with West Mifflin EMS in 1991. He joined the McKeesport Fire Department in 1998 and eventually rose through the ranks to become a captain.
For Shields, he said “it was time” to retire from firefighting.
“It’s a young man’s sport. It gets to be,” Shields said. “Fire is hard work, so I’m trying to set the next chapter up for something different. Try the nine-to-five-world and see if that works til at least 60.”
Shields said “you can’t beat” the group of guys he works with, and if he is having a bad day, they will try to fix it.
He also said the camaraderie at the station is something you can’t find anywhere else.
“The funny thing is, with all the different types of firefighters we have, different personalities, when the bell hits, everything goes like clockwork,” Shields said. “Everybody knows where they need to be. Time to go to work.”
International Association of Firefighters Local 10 President Kevin Kovach, a 22-year veteran of the department, who attended the festivities and has been with the department for 22 years, presented Shields with a retirement video he made for him to watch later that day.
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