Joe Crane has always had an interest in firefighting even though he didn't come from a fire department family. His first experience with the profession came as a member of the United States Coast Guard. In addition to the time he spent on the cutter Red Oak, he also served with the fire watch at the Guard's shipyard in Baltimore. It was during his time at the YARD that Joe made the decision to steer his future towards the path of a firefighter. He became one of the Damage Controlmen manning the firehouse, the "best job you could get," and accepted the Guard's offer to attend fire academy training through Howard County's Department of Fire and Rescue in the autumn of 1988.

While attending the Howard County academy he met several members of the Annapolis Fire Department who were also students, in addition to AFD Instructor/Liaison Lieutenant Terry. "Timid and shy" during the academy, Joe successfully completed his training and contemplated a job offer with Howard County before returning to complete his service to the Coast Guard.

Once discharged he continued his pursuit of a career with the fire service by applying to several departments, including Annapolis, Howard County and Anne Arundel. When he finally received a call from his old acquaintance Lt. Terry inquiring if he was still interested in a position with Annapolis, he didn't need to think twice. Joe Crane joined the Annapolis Fire Department in February 1992 and the job he "kind of fell into" became his career of choice.

Once with the department, Joe spent most of his time as the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) assigned to the medic unit. At that time the ambulances did not respond with two paramedics as they do now, but were staffed with one Basic Life Support (BLS) and one Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider. As the "junior" person he would continue to be relegated to this position and it was for this reason, combined with the department's need to fill a vacancy that Joe decided to attend paramedic training.

While many ALS providers are forced to enter training as a condition of employment, Joe Crane volunteered to attend Paramedic school and began his education only eight months after being hired. Joe struggled a bit during the first year, but successfully completed the training and became certified as a Cardiac Rescue Technician (CRT). Then he continued on and completed the second year of training and all of the requirements for licensure as an EMT-Paramedic.

A Model employee who's example is often referred to when defining the expectations of an Annapolis City paramedic the "timid and shy" Joe Crane developed into a respected and admired figure. His hulking frame masks an inner father-type figure who has taken many rookies under his wing and molded them into exemplary employees. He was promoted to Firefighter First Class and has spent the last eight years as one of the department's preceptors, tutoring and mentoring Paramedic students and those newly certified.

Despite his ability to crush fragile objects and expensive electronic gadgets, Joe Crane has always conducted himself in a reserved and understanding manner with even the most annoying and troublesome coworkers or patients. It is this genuine and evident compassion that has garnered Joe many accolades and compliments from both his peers and those he dutifully serves.

"My faith in the goodness of people in this area was given a good shot in the arm by the Paramedic personnel from the [Annapolis Fire Department.] ... As a registered nurse I've witnessed teams at work in many places... Without a doubt, our local team surpassed them all... God bless and keep you... FF1/c Joe Crane."

Without a doubt, Joe Crane loves his job. As most folks in the profession of firefighting will attest, it is the chance to help make a difference and knowing that with every day you don't know what you'll do that helps propel this love. Firefighters are driven individuals. They are always ready for a different challenge or a new experience and they are always willing to learn new things. It is also their desire to move up through the ranks and get promoted. Joe Crane is no different.

"[Joe Crane] has given [AFD] 14 years of impeccable service without a minute of trouble."

It is fair to say that Joe has a firm grasp on the job of a Paramedic. The next logical step and pursuit in the career of Joe Crane is that of a Lieutenant. To obtain the experience needed to become a good officer for the department, an individual needs to be able to spend time on the engine company. To properly serve the department, it's members, and the community AFD needs good officers. It would be a disservice not to provide officer candidates the proper experiences.

With the retirement of a long time engine company Driver/Operator, an opportunity exists for Joe Crane to move from the paramedic unit to the engine company. This move would serve several purposes. It would enable Joe to pursue the endeavors he must undoubtedly possess and it would replace a very capable engineman with someone just as competent. Joe Crane has filed the paperwork requesting a transfer and indicating his desire to do so, it is simply up to the Fire Chief to grant this appeal.

For a motivated individual to be stymied and kept from pursuing the natural tendency to advance in station, rank, or honor risks losing that person to opportunities to do so. It was psychologist Abraham Maslow who presented the Hierarchy of Needs and maintained that it is the instinctual need of humans to make the most of their unique abilities and to strive to be the best they can be. To thwart this enduring drive would inevitably have the effect of, at the very least, taking someone who loves their job and possibly forcing them to hate it, become disgruntled, leave, or retire prematurely.

"A travesty that leaves looming a dim outlook for upcoming paramedics. Like a life sentence without parole, there is nothing to look forward to."

It would be a shame for the Annapolis Fire Department to lose an employee like Joe Crane, someone who embodies what it is that department members should all strive to be. It would a loss for the community to have someone retire early when they could go on to serve admirably for many years to come. It would be terrible to see a person that loves their job grow to dread going to work. It wouldn't be right for the department to have another good employee leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere when they can exist within- providing the powers that be make them available. Help FreeJoeCrane.org convince those who can make the decision realize the potential and make the move to not only Free Joe Crane from the paramedic unit, but better the department in the process...

"It's ridiculous they won't let Joe Crane go and sets the wrong tone."

"Joe Crane is an excellent paramedic who needs to be freed."

"The difference in Joe Crane is that he never once complained."

"Joe Crane is my hero."

"Joe Crane is definitely one of the 'go-getters' in the Department."

"It would be a terrible tragedy if Joe Crane was not freed."

* comments may have been edited from their original format, however intent and purpose have been maintained. 

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