January 8, 2003

When Rogers Massey came out of the Training Academy, Lyndon Johnson had already announced that he would not seek a second term as President, the Vietnam War was raging in Southeast Asia, Martin Luther King had just been assassinated, and Washington was in the throes of riot.

"They put a hose in my hand and said, 'get to work!'" said Massey at a dinner and celebration held in his honor at Engine Co. 16.  "Those were very dangerous and challenging times, but they made me realize how important this city is."

The members of Engine 16, Truck 3 and dozens of Fire & EMS personnel joined Acting Fire/EMS Chief Adrian Thompson, Acting Assistant Chief of Operations Jim Martin, and others in wishing Chief Massey well in his retirement.

"Come on in - the water's fine!" joked retired (and obviously well-rested) Assistant Chief of Operations Carlton Ford who stopped by for the festivities.

Chief Massey was appointed to Truck 3 in 1968.  His growth through the department as a firefighter also included an appointment to Rescue Squad 1.