" Every day , we go someplace that we help people . We mitigate problems . I tell you , after you do so , there ’ s no better feeling than when you come back to this station to know ‘ I made a difference , I helped someone and made their day better ."
SHAWN GRANT , FIRE CHIEF JEFFERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
That ’ s something Kenny began to resonate with during his work at JPD . He said he ’ s had days run long , spend about an hour at home , then get right back at it . He said it ’ s days like that you joke with the team and hope you get more sleep the next night , but it ’ s something public safety officials take in stride .
If an officer or firefighter spends their vacation time at home , Kenny noted , they ’ re still likely to jump in on a call when they ’ re needed .
“ Unless you leave the city , things are going to happen or occur when you ’ re on vacation ,” he said . “ But if you ’ re here inside the city , you ’ re going to help , you ’ re not going to say ‘ Hey , I ’ m on vacation .’”
Kenny started talking to his dad about his aspiration to join public service when he was about to finish high school . He said he thought about joining the military , but he started college , then joined Clark County Corrections . Though he didn ’ t finish school at that time , he said his father was proud .
“ My father at the time , I recall sharing with him at the time and he got emotional ,” Kenny said . “ That is something memorable , starting that next step when I was in corrections and entering into patrol .”
Last year , Kenny finished his degree , and he said it gives him a better understanding of his role as chief . But his dad had something to add .
“ My dad , he told me one night , ‘ I tried to tell you that [ you needed to finish school ] about 20 years ago , but you didn ’ t want to listen ,’” Kenny said . “ I laughed and I said you know what , you ’ re right . But he told me he was proud of me for finishing and achieving that educational goal .”
Kenny said the spouses and significant others of public safety officers have a lot to deal with in the family with the constant hours , pagers and phones ringing , and more , but they provide constant support at home . He said there were times his mother , Theressa , was driven “ nuts ” by it , but she was steadfast in her support .
Kenny said his upbringing and his father ’ s work with public service taught him a lot about his position as chief , too . He said with that environment at home , it helped prepare him for his role at JPD .
“ We understand this really well prior to taking our oaths ,” Kenny said . “ My father , my grandfather , [ they taught me ] that commitment and what you commit yourself to , you fulfill your commitments , all the time . Those examples of leadership , those examples of integrity to your commitment and responsibilities , being accountable to your oath , that is what you do and how you do it .”
Congrats Jeffersonville Fire Department on 150 years serving the community !
30 Jeffersonville Fire Department / 150 years