Fourteen years ago, John Litchford, then a brand-new lieutenant with the Milwaukee Fire Department, suffered an injury common for firefighters: a slight tear in his knee.
Instead of seeking care for his injury, Litchford worked through the chronic pain for nearly five years.
“We knew it was a small tear. However, it was just something I was willing to deal with,” said Litchford, who is now South Milwaukee’s fire chief and director of emergency management. “At the time, I had two young kids and I didn’t want to give up the four months (of work).”