A Memorial Day 2009
Certain people come into your life and leave a lasting impression. Stan Fisher was that type of person.
When I came into the Detroit Fire Department I was assigned to serve my trial period at Engine 10 in the busy 5th Battalion. The place was always full of action from the many fires we fought to the tricks that were played on the trial man. That trial man was me. This firehouse was full of swashbuckling crazy characters led by a gravely voiced Firefighter named Stan Fisher. Those guys helped me learn the firefighting trade. Stan took me into fires, taught me how to survive in an engine house, and most importantly how to conduct myself as a Firefighter.
Stan was not only fun to be around but he had an attitude of confidence and integrity that was contagious. Stan had a zest for life that can only be found in people who have faced death many times. I later found out that Stan had been a tank commander serving under General George S. Patton in World War II. Stan helped fight the Nazis in the campaign to retake fortress Europe. He was at the hill overlooking Metz, France when Patton’s armor ran out of gas. They stayed there for many days pounding the Germans with their tanks guns. Stan was also in the rescue column that was sent to save our troops in the battle of the bulge. He had a personal interest in that battle because his brother was part of the American forces that were trapped by the German offensive.
In the headlong dash across Germany to end the war, Stan still kept his sense of humor. He told me they would come crashing into a German town with his tank group and immediately go to the bank and shoot open the vault. Next they would find the mayors house and pick up as many souvenirs as they could find. He survived the war and came back with a deep sense of patriotism.
Stan became a great asset to the Detroit Fire Department after the war. He was a member of the honor guard and a member of the department’s clown team. He spent many hours entertaining sick and injured children at local hospitals. When he became a boss he was very protective of his men.
I got to know Stan when I was a trial man but I was transferred and did not see him again until the riot in 1967. I was at the command post when Ladder 4 returned from a run where they had been shot at by snipers. Stan came off his rig mad as a bear. He chewed out the dispatcher, the National Guard Commander, and all those attached to security. He demanded a tank so he could personally go back and eliminate the cowards who would shoot at unarmed Firefighters.
I remember Stan’s last appearance with the clown team. It was a guest appearance because he had not been active for awhile. It was at the old Tiger Stadium. He had a routine where he was a pitcher and he stood on the mound with a giant baseball glove and a giant hat. He had the fans rolling in the aisles with his crazy antics.
My last association with Stan Fisher was when he became Chief 7. I was assigned as his driver. Stan had grown up in the 7th Battalion so we would stop every day to visit his mom for a few minutes as we moved through the Battalion on department business. He loved his family, he loved his job, and he loved his country. Stan never got to enjoy retirement. He died of lung cancer. I for one miss Stan Fisher. He made an impact on my life that made me a better person and a better Firefighter. That smiling face, gravely voice, and flamboyant manner will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him. He was my hero and I will say a prayer for Stan on Memorial day. I know a lot of you Firefighters have a Stan Fisher working in your department. Be sure to shake his hand and thank him for his service this memorial day. Stay safe my brothers and sisters.
Photo courtesy of Bill Eisner.
"Fire Talk" Archives
- Benny the Hook
- Got To Love Texas
- The Fog of Retirement
- Two Tough Kids
- On Leaving the Department
- Cop Talk 3, Ceremony
- Putting it on the Line
- A Bond of Love
- God Will Protect Us
- Stealing Fires
- Poo Poo Pants
- Decoy Carver
- Firefighter's Road Trip
- Day Twenty-seven. Road Trip
- Down Mexico Way
- Zoo in the 7th
- A Gentle Landing
- Always a Firefighter
- Christmas at the Firehouse
- Harem Sacrum
- The Crow Who Spoke Polish
- Once a Firefighter always a Firefighter
- A Brotherhood
- Retiring a Hall of Fame Firefighter
- Anatomy of Forcible Entry
- 911
- Old Horses
- The Milk Wagon
- The Howling
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 26, Destructo
- Memories of the 7th Battalion
- Running Mates
- Engine 32
- Last Alarm
- Tiger Stadium Fire
- To Moosenee and Back
- Memorial Day 2009
- Anatomy of a Fire at a Dangerous Building
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 25, A Typical 7th Battalion Fire
- Boris the Talking Dog
- Wear and Tear
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 24, Legends
- Axemen
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 23, Ankie
- Anatomy of a Dwelling Fire
- A Firefighter's Spring
- Input
- My Running Mate
- The Singing Fireman
- The Right Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 22, A Desperate Rescue
- 300 Spartans
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 21, Men Who Fight Bears
- At the End of His Rope
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 20, Wolf Warriors
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 19, Motorcycle Maniac
- Career Ending Injuries
- Detroit Loses One of Its Finest
- On Duty Injuries
- Unpractical Jokes
- Dedication in the Fire Service
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 18, Spare Parts
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 17, Passage to Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 16, Gallant Warrior
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 15, Big Ones
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 14, Chicago Lil
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 13, Bridge Fires
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 12, Hot Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 11, Taco Wars
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 10, Day in Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 9, Engine House Cat
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 8, Finding a Pen
- The Polish Squad
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 7, Wayne Soap
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 6, Junk Yard Goat
- The 1967 Riot in Detroit 3
- Department Legends
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 5, The Fonz
- The 1967 Riot (an entry from Tom Hart)
- The 1967 Detroit Riot
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 4, Howard
- The Buhl Building Fire
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 3, Engine 27
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 2, Roof Rescue
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 1, Explosion
- The worst 7th Battalion Fire
- Fire Incidents
- Beeler's Fog Monster
- Thoughts of a Retired Firefighter
- Dogs of the Realm
- Going to the Dogs
- Firefighter/Lawyer ?
- Moe Tales
- The Legend of Moe
- A POEM: When Brave Men Cry