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Chief Rusty Thomas Fueled by Family Firefighting Ties
Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas reflects on the loss of nine department members in a furniture store blaze. He describes firefighting as family and recalls personal history including his son Trey, his brother and father who served, and his choice to join the force at 18 over a college baseball scholarship. He stresses duty and urgency over politics as he copes with tragedy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charleston
Rusty Thomas
Trey
Citadel
Thomas
Charleston Fire Department
Tommy Thomas
Russell B. Thomas Sr
Carol
Billy Hutchinson
Mike Benke
James “Earl” Drayton
Rusty
Illinois
Barack Obama