A long time mid-Michigan fire chief is retiring, but before he leaves, he's hoping his own health scare could save a life.
He's also sounding the alarm about the future of firefighting if more people don't take up the profession soon.
"Its bittersweet, because I really enjoy this, being around the firefighters and the families, we are just one big family," said Bridgeport Township Fire Chief Pat Nelson.
He has been a firefighter for 27 years, the Bridgeport Township Fire Chief for the past 16, and several months ago, he didn't feel right. Some chest pain and a problem with his hand made him call a doctor.
Ultimately I wound up with bypass surgery of the LAD artery, which is also called the widow-maker, I didn't have any of the classic signs and symptoms," Nelson said.
That issue in part has made him make the difficult decision to retire. Even though the 57 year-old Bridgeport School Board member is leaving the roll of emergency responder, he's hoping his story could help save a life.