After surviving a fire that killed a fellow firefighter and fighting his way back to work, New Haven Fire Captain Samod Rankins has retired.
The 31-year-old then fire lieutenant was pulled out unconscious and out of air from a house fire on Valley Street in May of 2021 along with Firefighter Ricardo Torres. Both men had become disoriented and called a mayday while on the second floor of the fire building. Torres died of his injuries. Rankins, meanwhile, spent grueling two years fighting back from his injuries.
He returned to the department in May of 2023, after suing the city for promotion. However, he submitted notice that he was leaving the job last week, the New Haven Register reports. He cited lingering damage to his eyes, lungs, internal organs, and PTSD as factors in his decision, WFSB reported. In his letter, Rankins thanked Fire Lieutenant Matthew Thomas and paramedic Tyrone Reed for saving his life.
“Unfortunately, the injuries I sustained in the line of duty continue to affect my life permanently,” he said in his letter to the city. according to the Register. “While many may try to empathize with the horrors I’ve experienced, the depth of that trauma is incomprehensible to those who haven’t experienced it firsthand. And that’s OK; they don’t need to fully grasp it.
“To all my fellow firefighters, I urge you to hold onto the person you were before joining the fire service, keep that version of yourself tucked away within, consult with them when things get difficult. That version of yourself is the real you, just without the baggage. In this unpredictable line of work, it’s essential to stay informed, train, and give your best effort, while recognizing that ultimately, a higher power determines the outcome of your efforts.”