Levi Ortiz
Firefighter
Denver Fire Department
Denver, CO USA
“It's how you feel inside about what you've done and what you've accomplished. If you're happy with it, if you're good with it, then you're a success.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationLevi Ortiz
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
When he graduated high school, he didn't have a clue of what he wanted to do.
College wasn't an option for him, so he joined the Marines.
Worked on F-4 jets, then was eventually sent to Vietnam; says that was the "scariest six months of his life."
Returned to working on jets, but after six years, he realized it wasn't what he wanted to do with his life.
Brainstormed with his wife about what else he could do; she suggested "fireman," and he got hooked on to the idea.
Says being a fireman is like playing with grown-up toys; you're doing a serious task, but riding on a truck and tearing holes in buildings can also be fun.
Believes that our purpose in life is to help other people, and that's why firefighting is so rewarding for him.
Says you can't ever be completely happy with yourself, because you'll become mediocre; you should always be pushing yourself a little bit.
Career
Firefighter
I help people by providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, and technical rescue.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Government
Armed Services
Helping People
Interviewed By
Chicago - San Francisco
Still in Chicago, the US team interviews Ira Glass, host and producer of This American Life. The team then heads to Denver to sit down with Lieutenant Firefighter Levi Ortiz. Later in Cheyenne, the team meets with Jeremy Sparks, a professional bullfighter. The team heads west, stopping in San Francisco to interview Ana Hortillosa, event coordinator for the Asian Art Museum.
