Veteran Chicago Firefighter Paralyzed after Incident at Fire Scene

Firefighter John Anderson was more than the fire station chef, he assumed a father-figure role.

Those same firefighters he mentored are now stepping up to help him.

He was at a fire scene in late October when a large object fell and struck him. He suffered a catastrophic injury that has left him paralyzed below the waist, according to abc 7. 

Anderson, 50, is described as a character, always cracking a joke.

"You're not around him very long without laughing about something," Chicago Fire Capt. Chris Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz has gotten to know Anderson very well. They're both firefighters working out of a fire station in Burnside.

"It was one of the best things about being here, having great meals every day. He was outstanding all the time," he said.

"We had just come back from a fire just before this one. So, we were just working with each other. And then, in the blink of an eye, things change," Steinmetz said.

Anderson and his older brother, Roy, are carrying on the family tradition. 

"His brother, father, grandfather, uncle, cousins all served in the fire department. His grandfather actually died in the line of duty in 1962," Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz said Anderson has a challenging road to recovery, but seems to be making the best of it.

"He's in great spirits; he was joking around. He was back to old John pretty much."

Firefighters are raising funds to help with medical expenses and modifications at his house.