SAN ANTONIO — Melvin Fitzgerald just reached 50 years with the San Antonio Fire Department.

"It doesn't seem like 50 years," Fitzgerald said. "I still remember my days in drill school."

Over the years, he's worked as a firefighter, paramedic and most recently, as part of the department's Mobile Integrated Healthcare team. He's part of a unit dedicated to helping San Antonio's most vulnerable residents.

"I think this is the job that fit me, exactly what I needed," Fitzgerald said.

He spent 26 years on the front lines as a firefighter, 19 years as a paramedic, and the last five providing essential care and support through the mobile healthcare unit.

"Most of the time, some of them are homeless," he said, referring to the people he serves today. "If they need medication, we will go buy t

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