Those Who Keep Us Safe: Captain Doug Holman

Doug Holman is a Captain with the Vicksburg Fire Department where he has served the people of Vicksburg for nearly two decades.

Holman was raised in Hammond, Louisiana and moved to Vicksburg in 1984. He also operates a successful cabinet shop. In 1995, Holman tried out for the fire department but they were only hiring 17 and he was No.19 on the list. Nine years later he applied again and was the first to be hired.

“Insurance is what brought me to the fire service but I really enjoy helping people so I stayed, Holman said.

Over his career, Holman has witnessed more than a few bad situations that will always stick with him. “We go to a lot of bad calls and just being there for people and being able to help someone in a bad situation or someone who just lost their house is a good way of helping people, but responding to accidents with children is one of the most difficult things,” Holman said.

Capt Doug Holman works with a young recruit.

Although the VFD is his job, it’s become so much more to Holman over the years.

“It’s not always about me, it’s about everyone else around you and the fellowship we have down here at the fire department we are like family because we stay together for 24 hours helping each other out and helping the community out.” Holman has been with VFD for over 18 years but believes it takes a special person to be a firefighter.

“It’s definitely not for everyone, you have to have to fight mindset because there’s a lot of things we do that a lot of people won’t be able to handle,” Holman said. “You’re gonna see deaths, accidents, bodies and you gotta go into a house fire once or twice in your career and find a burnt-up body. They have a good support system at the fire department to help with stuff like that.”