Atlanta Crews Escort Cancer-Stricken Firefighter Home for Hospice
Source The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A convoy carried a six-year veteran firefighter from a Newnan cancer treatment center to his Forsyth County home Wednesday afternoon.
“We are losing a dear member of our family very soon,” Atlanta fire spokeswoman Janet Ward said.
Frank Martinez worked with the Atlanta Fire Department’s Squad 4, which is the technical rescue unit based on Edgewood Avenue. After battling cancer for several years, the 45-year-old father of two made the decision to receive hospice care at home.
Several fire stations throughout Atlanta and DeKalb County radioed in Wednesday to give tributes to Martinez as he passed through the downtown area about 2:30 p.m.
“Frank’s last wish was to see the new Squad 4 apparatus, which was put into service just a few weeks ago,” Ward said.
Mike Brooks has been a friend of Martinez’s for more than 10 years, he told Channel 2 Action News.
“We’re going to miss him,” Brooks said. “But we’re here to celebrate his life and to give him the send-off he deserves. He’s a fireman’s fireman; the best you’re going to ever meet.”
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