A Montgomery fire lieutenant is back on the job almost a year after a life-threatening accident

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Firefighters risk their lives every day to save others. Montgomery Fire Department Lt. James McMicken did just that when he was involved in a car accident. He was hit by another car, which made him unresponsive.

McMicken says he has never worked a day in his life because being a firefighter was what he was born to do.

“I saw whoever is now the district chief kick down the front door and disappear into the burning house, and I thought, ‘I want to do that,’” McMicken said.

He started working for the county fire department at the age of 18, and although he knew it was a dangerous job, he never thought he would be where he was just a year ago.

“I can tell you what I had for dinner that night and that’s it,” McMicken said.

McMicken was responding to an accident November 2023 when he was hit by another vehicle.

He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and multiple bone fractures.

“I was responding to an incident on another call and there was chaos on the radio, and his partner had actually never seen anything like it before,” said Assistant Fire Chief Stanley Cooper.

After a week in the hospital, McMicken underwent intensive therapy and never doubted he would return to the job he loved.

“You just look at where you were before and think, ‘I’ll never go back there,’” he said. “You just have to put it out of your head and just move on.”

His perseverance inspires his entire department.

Two months before the first anniversary of the crash, McMicken returned to work. And on this anniversary, he wanted to do what he was called to do – save lives.

McMicken said he is grateful for the support he has received from his department.

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