Arkansas City Firefighter Beats The Odds

James McIntosh

ARKANSAS CITY, KAN. (SEPT. 1, 2023)Being a firefighter often involves experiencing intense, adrenaline-filled moments while striving to save lives and assist people during their most challenging times. For James McIntosh, however, being a firefighter signifies more than just a fulfilling profession; it stands as the very career that rescued him from life's difficulties and uncertainties.

Standing as a testament to the remarkable strength of the human spirit, James’ life story, laden with challenges and near-impossible odds, paints a picture of a man who defied fate and refused to be defined by his circumstances.

A troubled childhood led James down a path of addiction. Near-death experiences led him to realize he needed more for his life. He needed more for his three sons — Jimmy, Johnny, and Joey.

“I always wanted to do something,” James recalls. “And I knew moving furniture and working odd jobs wouldn’t give me retirement. The money was good, but I have kids to take care of. If I hadn’t gotten sober, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

 

A LIFE UNFOLDS

As a child growing up in South California, James navigated a tumultuous upbringing marked by family struggles and addiction.

“I was adopted when I was 18 months old. My dad said he found me at a grocery store in a shopping cart with a foster family and several other children. Jokingly, my dad picked me up and said, ‘How much is this one?’ And he put me on the conveyor belt, and they scanned my diaper,” James said. “My dad was previously married and divorced because of his drinking. My mom couldn’t have kids, and they wanted kids.”

 

THE SHADOWS OF ADDICTION

From an early age, James witnessed the destructive force of addiction firsthand. His parents’ battles with substance abuse cast a shadow over his upbringing.

“When I was 4, I made my parent’s drinks. That’s pretty much where it stems from. My mom was an alcoholic. My dad was an alcoholic. My mom drank rum and Coke. My dad drank, usually a martini, and then he had brandy,” James said. “By the age of 14, drinking became second nature. But my drinking started when I was way younger.”

James remembers how his father used to purchase a bottle of alcohol infused with delicate gold flakes, a special tradition they shared during Christmas.

 

“He filled a shot glass up for me. I thought the cool thing was that there were gold flakes. I felt fancy. My dad would always say, ‘Okay, just one, it’s Christmas Eve.’ We would take the shot, and I remember that warm feeling hitting my belly. I felt relaxed. I felt like, this is nice. I could get used to this. Before that, I would do sips, which was just too gross. I couldn’t do it. But after that shot, I would sneak down at night for a little drink, and then I would fill the bottle with water,” James said.

 

A GLIMPSE OF REDEMPTION

The decision to reclaim his life and embrace sobriety set James on a path of healing and self-discovery. With newfound clarity, he recognized that he needed a purpose greater than himself to overcome the ghosts of his past.

 

And that purpose came in the form of firefighting. Volunteering as a firefighter in Oklahoma, James found an outlet for his adrenaline, a community that offered unwavering support and a chance to make a difference. The rush he once sought in alcohol, he now channeled into saving lives and serving his community.

“I had been three and a half months sober. I was like, I need to do something,” James said.

A conversation with the McCord, Okla., fire chief that lasted five hours led to James changing his life forever.

“I told the Chief everything about my plans. I told him that I was three and a half months sober, and I was an alcoholic. He gave me a T-shirt and a radio and told me to download the app on my phone. And when I got a call to get on the radio,” James said. “I was like, well, this, will help me stay sober, just because of the unknowing of when I will be called out on a fire.”

As a self-described adrenaline junkie, James was excited when he was notified of a structure fire three days later.

“I remember that overwhelming feeling of excitement and adrenaline. While driving, my foot was on the gas, and my leg was shaking. I was nervous,” James said. “Then I got to the station, got all my gear, and jumped in that truck. It was a trailer fire, so it was pretty much to the ground by the time we got there, but it was still cool to pull hose. Getting in front of that fire, I thought, I could see myself doing this, and then I was hooked.”

 

WEATHERING THE STORM

Finally, it seemed like James was winning the fight. As days turned into weeks and then months, James began to experience a sense of accomplishment that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Just as James was enjoying the fruits of his hard-earned progress, an unexpected turn of events shifted his reality once again.

“I got in a fight with my boys’ mother,” James said.

James admits that he doesn’t recall most of what happened that night, but he’s pieced together the evening enough to realize he had hit rock bottom.

“Apparently, I drove myself to a buddy of mine’s house and parked my truck in his garage,” James said.

The following day, James wakes up lying on his friend’s sofa. James doesn’t remember driving, so he assumes his friend picked him up. James says nothing to his friend the next morning and, as usual, gets ready for work.

“When I went over to his house, I don’t know what was going through my mind. But I remember kind of bits and pieces of sitting in the garage. I remember I was really drunk, and I was holding my cigarettes. I was listening to music. I remember sitting there,” James said. “When I was in the garage, I remember it was cold. And who wants to freeze? I had the truck running; the windows to my truck and the garage door were closed. And then I fell asleep.”

James goes on to tell the story that at about 2 a.m., his friend, who had no clue that James was in the garage, woke up and went outside to smoke a cigarette.

“That’s when he saw the taillights of my truck in his garage. He went to investigate and found me passed out,” James said.

James mentioned that his friend wanted to speak with him after work the next day. Although the events of the previous night were still fresh in his friend’s mind, James found himself unprepared for the startling revelation he was about to encounter.

“He threw my gun at me and said, ‘If I ever find you like that again, I’ll kill you myself.’ And I asked him what he was talking about. ‘You don’t remember anything? The way you were slumped over, and your truck was running. Then I saw your pistol in your lap. I thought you killed yourself,’” James recalls his friend saying. “I have no clue what was going through my brain. But I knew I needed to get myself together. That was an eye-opener. I knew this was a life-or-death thing.”

 

TRANSFORMING PAIN INTO PURPOSE

Against all odds, James rewrote his narrative again, channeling his pain into purpose and his struggles into strength.

“I wanted to show my boys that I can do something. You could turn your life around even when you’re at your absolute worst. It’s just willpower and motivation. And so, about a year of volunteering as a firefighter, I enrolled in fire school,” James said.

James eventually earned his accreditation and landed a job as a firefighter in Newkirk, Okla., in 2020.

“I wanted to give back to everybody I’ve ever done wrong. And even though it’s not the people I’ve done wrong, it’s just knowing that I’m there to help people on their worst days because I know what it’s like to have those worst days,” James said.

 

BUILDING A RESILIENT PARTNERSHIP

James’s experience in Newkirk turned out to be much more than just a fresh start for his career; it became a chapter of his life that led him to a chance meeting that would forever alter the course of his personal life.

While navigating his professional journey, he met Officer Shannese Hall of the Newkirk Police Department. Drawn to her poise, dedication, and undeniable presence, James couldn’t help but feel a connection with Shannese.

“I asked her out, and she turned me down. Not once, but twice,” James said.

Eventually, his persistence paid off, and Shannese agreed to a date. The couple are now engaged, and James acknowledges their profound impact on each other’s lives.

“Since we’ve been together, we’ve been each other’s motivators. I will push her to try new things, and Shannese pushes me, too. We help each other, and I respect her job, and she respects mine,” James said.

Since their first meeting, Shaneese has become a member of the Arkansas City Police Department. 

 

ANOTHER TWIST OF FATE

Shortly after meeting Shannese, James decided to part ways with his role at the Newkirk Fire Department, influenced by various factors. He had intended to start his own business. But, once again, fate stepped in, and, as James says, he accidentally found a job at the Arkansas City Fire Department.

Even though he had stepped away from firefighting, James’s commitment to helping others in need remained steadfast. On this occasion, he extended his assistance to the wife of a former Arkansas City Fire Department captain. The situation involved her being locked out of her car and unable to access her keys. Later, knowing that James had a history of being a firefighter, she encouraged him to call her husband for a job in Arkansas City.

“I had his number, but I sent him a message on Facebook and didn’t hear anything for three weeks,” James said.

Eventually, fate took over once again and James got that call promised to him and that call encouraged James to come to the Arkansas City Fire Department to test with other potential firefighters. James figured it was a good idea since he so happened to have the day off.

“I came up here and tested, and then they pulled me in for a three-hour meeting. I told them everything about my recovery journey, how I got there, what I used to be like, what it’s like now, and how far I’ve come and my goals,” James said. “By this time, I hadn’t gotten my EMT yet because Newkirk put me through their EMT program. And I struggled.”

Assuming he wasn’t the right candidate for the position, James continued his own path until, eventually, he received another phone call from the Arkansas City Fire Department.

“They called me a week later and offered me a job. I asked, why are you guys taking me? Surely other people have certification. And their response was, ‘Well, you showed something different. You stuck out more to us than most interviews that we do,’” James said.

 

FROM STRUGGLE TO RESILIENCE

James McIntosh’s journey has taken him from the throes of struggle to the esteemed ranks of a full-time firefighter in Arkansas City, alongside his role as a dedicated volunteer firefighter at McCord, Okla., and Kildare, Okla., Fire Departments. His path is nothing short of remarkable — a narrative that defies conventional odds and exemplifies the extraordinary resilience inherent in the human spirit. 

The most pivotal part of James’ journey happened when he took his last drink on Nov. 26, 2018. This date remains etched both in his memory and upon his skin, immortalized as a tattoo, a constant reminder of his unwavering commitment.

Since his employment with the Arkansas City Fire Department, James received his EMT certification. But his journey continues. James began courses at Cowley College in August to obtain his advanced EMT certification.

“I know that I’m here for a reason. I haven’t gone to an AA meeting in a while, but the job keeps me going. It’s become a way of life,” James said. “It’s a lifetime choice to wake up daily and stay sober. And I try to stay positive as much as possible, even when there are negative people.”

The story of James McIntosh serves as a beacon of hope for those battling their demons, a reminder that redemption is always within reach. It serves as a testimony to never give up.

“I’m sure I’ve cheated death a lot. My purpose is to try to make my surroundings a better place. I get to make a difference,” James said.