Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Fields

Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Fields

Jerry Fields was an avid and enthusiastic cook. He loved watching cooking shows and his fellow station mates benefited from this knowledge through Jerry’s homemade daily shift meals. Born and raised in Dallas, Fields was an experienced and dedicated driver and engineer for Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR).

March 10, 2001 began like any other 24 hour shift. Fields had completed his regular shift at his home fire station and began an overtime shift at another DFR station, Engine 16. Fields’ regular shift had been normal with five responses and he later joined the crew at a grocery store to buy food for the next meal, work out, clean the station and apparatus and performed other necessary station tasks. After preparing a meal for the crew, Fields’ sat in the television room. At 7:00 p.m., a box alarm was dispatched in the area of town normally worked by Fields. Engine 16 was not dispatched to the incident, but the company officer went out to the engine to get a portable radio to monitor the box alarm response. A short time later, the company officer heard a sound and turned to see Fields leaning back in the chair, breathing loudly, and shaking. EMS responded. CPR and an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) was administered. March 10, 2001 was Fields’ final alarm.

5287137_1394061482Jerry Fields spent 32 years manning the watch for DFR. A U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, Fields returned home to Dallas to continue his service to the community. He managed to fill every moment with activities and actions he was passionate about: his family, his church, the PTA, the DeSoto Lions Club and Band Boosters and the Boy Scouts of America. His loving wife and three children stood by him for every activity and selfless act. Fields gave much to the City of Dallas, the residents and his community and his legacy lives on in the DFR firefighters and paramedics that stand watch, today.

Since its inception, DFR has lost 70 in the line of duty. From John Clark in 1902 to William Scott Tanksley in 2014, DFR firefighters and paramedics have answered the final alarm with a long history of tradition, selflessness and sacrifice.

Dallas Fire-Rescue will hold a 2015 Memorial Service on October 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at 5000 Dolphin Road. This every five year event will honor fallen firefighters and their families. To learn more about Dallas Fire-Rescue and review their incredible history, visit: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/.

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