Introducing our Father’s Day series. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the incredible stories of fathers and their children in the fire service. Meet the Wilson family, with over five generations of service.
Father’s Day is a time to honor the amazing fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our lives.
For the Wilson family, it’s a moment to pay homage to a family history filled with courage and sacrifice — stretching across generations.
“Our family’s firefighting legacy began with our great-grandfather, Emil C. Doll, who joined the Detroit Fire Department in 1917 and retired as a lieutenant in 1942. His son, John E. Doll, served from 1946 to 1971,” said Detroit Fire Department Battalion Chief Timothy Wilson, a Detroit, MI Local 344 member. “I joined in 1992, and I am still serving after 32 years. My eldest son Austin joined in 2017 and my younger son, Evan, followed Austin six months later.”‘
Harry Wilson, a retired fire captain and Timothy’s father, spent more than three decades with the department.
“I joined in 1969 at the age of 21. During my tenure, I witnessed the challenges of fighting fires in the 70s and 80s, including the notorious Devil’s Night,” said Harry, looking back on his time in the fire service.
In the late 1970’s, pre-Halloween pranks in Detroit turned destructive, with hundreds of fires set. By 1984, “Devil’s Night” spanned October 29-31, with 810 fires reported that year.
“I retired 22 years ago and have since seen my sons follow in my footsteps,” said Harry.
Timothy’s journey into the fire service was a natural progression, inspired by generations before. His brother-in-law, Kristopher Fornash, and brothers, Harry P., Bryan, and Michael also joined the fire service.
“I’m very thankful because as a kid, you’re not sure what you’re going to do, but after getting into the job, I was very thankful my dad was a fireman,” said Timothy. “I may not have gone this direction, if he hadn’t been a fireman and exposed me to it.”
As for his sons, Timothy says, “I absolutely wanted them to be in the fire service, but I didn’t want them to do it just because I wanted them to be there; I wanted them to make sure they knew this is what they wanted to do. I pushed them in one direction, and if they came back, I knew they really wanted to do it.”
I’m very thankful because as a kid, you’re not sure what you’re going to do, but after getting into the job, I was very thankful my dad was a fireman.
timothy wilson, battalion chief
And choose they did. Both Austin and Evan decided to become fire fighters, continuing a long legacy of dedication and service with Local 344.
“Being able to watch my father and how he goes through his life and carries himself, I learned a lot and I was able to take that from him, and apply it to my own life, and what I’m building with my family,” said Austin.
Evan says his journey turned out to be one of the best decisions he has made. “I never thought I’d become a fire fighter, but now I love it,” he said.
Timothy says his family has seen a lot of changes throughout the years. “In my father’s time, things did not change as much in Detroit. When he left in 2002, we were still fighting fires and doing just firefighting, but we have gone through a lot of changes,” Timothy said. “My sons came in after the changes, so I have seen both worlds … and now, we are doing a lot of medical runs. The EMS work has really become prevalent, and the city has turned around. Our fires are down, so it needed to happen.”
“Being at the fire department is like a brotherhood, a second family. A lot of the guys I know are friends with my family, and it is special to share that with them.
Austin wilson, local 344 member, fire fighter
The Wilson family has valued the union’s support and solidarity since its inception. “Our great-grandfather [Emil] started our union here in Detroit and served as vice president,” said Timothy. “There was always a story that his retirement in 1942, after 25 years, was because the city didn’t want to deal with the IAFF.”
Passing the torch from generation to generation, they face the job’s victories and challenges together with their brothers and sisters in the fire service.
“Being at the fire department is like a brotherhood, a second family. A lot of the guys I know are friends with my family, and it is special to share that with them,” said Austin.
“I am grateful to my father-in-law for guiding me here. Being married young, I needed security, and the fire department provided it. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but once I did, I loved it,” said Harry.