Real Life: Lojka will be missed at fire department

During the past 34 years, I’ve dealt with a lot of public information officers or spokesmen from government agencies and large corporations. Sometimes, they’ve been helpful and other times they created more problems for reporters trying to do their job.

This week’s retirement of Midwest City Fire Marshal Jerry Lojka reminded me how an effective and well-intentioned PIO does his job. During the past 14 months I’ve discovered that he knows his job and he understands the role reporters play in the world of news and information.

As a reporter and editor who has dealt with law enforcement officials, cranky state legislators and arrogant government bureaucrats, I truly appreciate someone like Lojka who believes in the role news organizations play. For Lojka, working with the press has been one of the most enjoyable parts of his job. It’s not because we’re a bunch of fun-loving folks with great personalities. Rather, it’s because the press provided Lojka the outlet he and his fellow firefighters needed to get their fire prevention messages to the public. In turn, the messages, when applied appropriately, helped save lives.

During an interview Tuesday, Lojka described the horror of pulling dead bodies from a house fire, and his desire to prevent the fatalities from occurring. Those unnecessary deaths were the impetus that he needed to move into the fire prevention part of the Midwest City Fire Department.

He spent 29 years at the department, 21 of them as a public education officer, spokesman and fire marshal. Even though Lojka is a low-key person who sticks to the facts, he is passionate about fire prevention and saving lives. He’s been in contact with the public almost every day during those 21 years, and he wouldn’t change a thing.

He’s made a difference in the lives of Midwest City residents and business owners. Through the public education programs, he and his staff have taught children critical fire prevention lessons. They’ve gone into the public and private schools with the hope that these youngsters would pay attention, receive the messages and apply them when the need arises.

“I determined that teaching people to live safely was more useful than recovering bodies,” Lojka said. “I believe, for the most part, I have been successful in that endeavor. I also have been driven to

provide accurate, timely information to the public regarding fire department activities and emergency response and recovery information.”

Indeed he has. But now, it’s time for another chapter in his life and he’s moving forward with enthusiasm and excitement about his new career as a boat captain on the Oklahoma River.

Jerry, I’ll certainly miss your presence and the respect you show for reporters and the jobs they have. Your ability to provide accurate, updated information has been invaluable. We, at Eastword News, wish you well.

Good luck, captain.