When Victor Young was hired by Baldwin County Fire Department in 1989, he knew nothing about being a firefighter and told the chief he'd stay for five years.
But, he never left.
He moved through the ranks to deputy chief, and fire chief in 2019. Now, after a rewarding career, he says it's time to move along.
"Even though I was fighting a fire, when I would go in the house, I would say, 'This fire is not going to beat me. I am going to beat it,'" Young told 13WMAZ.
He said he used the same approach with every job he had at the department - striving to be the best.
Capt. Kevin Meeks says he helped the chief accomplish one of his goals in office - refurbishing a 1949 fire truck that had been sitting in the garage for decades.
"He just gave us the reins and said, 'Make it happen,'" Meeks said, adding it was an honor to help him accomplish one of his last goals as chief.
"He's given me books. He's given me unexpected leave when things arise and he said, 'Hey, man, go take care of your family.'"
The refurbished truck was finished in time for the Christmas parade.
