The Central Fire Station of the Killeen Fire Department is a full-purpose building designed for long shifts. The kitchen area, with different refrigerators for firefighters working various shifts, the sleeping areas and even fitness equipment donated by Planet Fitness all showcased the unique and embedded qualities of being a firefighter, which is that it is not a 9 to 5 job.
Perhaps that is why it is no surprise that family members who watched their parents grow up as firefighters feel drawn to the job.
Recently, Jacob Ables became a full-fledged Killeen firefighter and had his badge pinned on him by his mom, Toni, who is also a firefighter with Killeen Fire Department.
In an interview with the Herald on Friday, Toni described fondly the memories she has of raising her son Jacob, who himself graduated from the academy and started working as a firefighter in August at the age of 19.