Boston's Bravest-District Chief Erik Pettaway-Boston's Best!

After interviewing District Chief Pettaway, a second generation Boston firefighter, I came away thinking this is the consummate professional. His attention to detail, technical and historical knowledge, along with his leadership style makes him among the best of Boston's Bravest.
Oral History Definition:
Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. Oral history is both the oldest type of historical inquiry, predating the written word, and one of the most modern, initiated with tape recorders in the 1940s and now using 21st-century digital technologies.
When using oral history as a source material, several caveats exist. The person being interviewed may not accurately recall factual information such as names or dates, and they may exaggerate. To avoid this, interviewers can do thorough research prior to the interview and formulate questions for the purpose of clarification. There also exists a pre-conceived notion that oral history is less reliable than written records. Written source materials are different in the execution of information, and that they may have additional sources. Oral sources identify intangibles such as atmosphere, insights into character, and clarifications to points made briefly in print. Oral history can also indicate lifestyle, dialect and terminology, and customs that may no longer be prominent.

[@jeffreymccarthy5418]

HI Chief Go to class i'm impressed with this video that's A funny story about the 9 alarm. LolI'm retired local 1617 Melrose. I came across this video of the suggestion by your cousin Vance jr he is a close friend of mine. I can see that you had a lot of respect throughout the department. I was on Melrose for 21 yrs before becoming p permanently disability in 2005 . My brother Chicky was A Captain in Melrose died in the line of duty September 3rd 2011 (occupational cancer) I miss the Job I really do

[@josephconforti4684]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erikpettaway7659]

Young Vance!..... Thank you.

[@d.doherty6521]

What a incredibly smart person

[@josephconforti4684]

Yes...very impressive guy!

[@forgottenchild7935]

IMO District 7 has the two best chiefs in the city Chief Whitman and Chief Pettaway calm cool and collected.

[@aportman58]

Just listening to him talk you can tell he has both common sense, intelligence, wisdom, along with 6th sense!

[@josephconforti4684]

agreed!

[@The0311gruntUSMC]

What a leader! Knowing your area and taking care of your firefighters. His tats blow me away... I mean for a District chief awesome!

[@josephconforti4684]

He's certainly an interesting and compelling character.

[@marksicuso737]

Chief Pettaway is the man! enjoy listening to him and learning

[@josephconforti4684]

Glad you like it!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

He is a hero!

[@josephconforti4684]

👍

[@billkraus9631]

This is a LEADER!

[@josephconforti4684]

Agree fully!

[@davevanatta1965]

awesome words of knowledge sir ! you and chiel alan B both true heros ty for all you done and do

[@josephconforti4684]

Much appreciated

[@albertnevaras3465]

Thank You

[@josephconforti4684]

My pleasure...stay tuned!

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

Sounds like a damn good, old school firefighter to me!

[@josephconforti4684]

That he is.

[@KGIV]

I come from a big BFD family. Such a great interview. I look forward to hearing more. Thanks.

[@josephconforti4684]

Glad you like it...more to come...thanks!

[@oldyankeespeedco]

Awesome

[@josephconforti4684]

Thanks! Glad you liked!

[@xtremehardy388]

outstanding information

[@josephconforti4684]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@RonCham]

The Real Deal!

[@josephconforti4684]

that he is!

[@robamaral9089]

atta boy sir...

[@EthanMSmith]

Is there anymore from this interview?

[@josephconforti4684]

More coming, standby...

[@johngammon6875]

👍

[@jimwattenburger4545]

Thank you Jesus for this Chief has passing down COMMON SENSE !!!!! I tried to do that through out my career !

[@josephconforti4684]

👍

[@BigDuke-md8ec]

Is he a chief in Boston or East L.A. ?

[@josephconforti4684]

Beantown...