Meet Orlando Gray | Firefighter-Sergeant/CPR Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Orlando Gray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Orlando, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel like calculated risks are very necessary! In order to grow and move forward in being successful you have to take them. I moved to Atlanta 21 years old from Lansing,Michigan. I took a huge risk being young and leaving my family and my comfort zone. But at that time I knew i had to jump out there and see what else was out there. That was probably the best risk that I’ve had to take to date.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being in the Fire service definitely has its challenges. When someone picks up that phone to call for help they could very well be having the worst day or experience of their life in that moment. You have to always be ready and willing to set aside how you’re feeling that day to put that patients situation first. We are constantly encountered with death and many of the negative things that can happen in life, so when the opportunity comes to get out in the community and engage on the positive side, that excites me. Seeing kids eyes light up when we turn the lights and sirens on for them, or when we pick them up and put them in the drivers seat. After almost 20 years of doing that it still never gets old. Becoming a Firefighter is very competitive. During active hiring, it may be 500 applicants vying for 12 positions. So generally once you’re in you stay. Not because you have to but because you enjoy the job and the rewards that come with it. Being in my position has taught me plenty of life lessons along the way. Seeing people at their worst everyday makes you realize how fragile life is and you’re more intentional about living life to the fullest each day and not taking ANY moment for granted.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start at Chicago Pizza on Sunday. I’m a Harley rider so a few of us mount up and head over there for great atmosphere and company. They’re biker friendly as you can just pull up and park on the patio they have sectioned off just for the motorcycles I would consider myself an outdoors fella so I would then take them to Sweetwater Creek to go hiking. I’d definitely go during the week when its not as busy. Another one of my favorite spots is Fellaship. Its a very upscale cigar lounge but on top of that the food is amazing! So we could just sit back with an Old fashioned and Padron and just chill. Another favorite spot of mine to eat would be JJ’s Chicken and Fish. Get the chicken with extra crack though! I’m not a big clubber but love to hear some good music and just mix and mingle. For that I would hit Pasha. Great Mediterranean food, drinks and hookahs. Very sexy spot. You can never go wrong with the Aquarium or High Museum. I would definitely take my friend by Martin Luther King Jr’s birth home and surrounding area as well. Gotta get a little history in! I would finish off with one of Atlanta’s premier spin gurus at CycleGang in College Park. End the visit with a great workout! The owner is super personable and energetic. You’d definitely be coming back for more!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a shout-out to the main ones that had anything to do with any successes I’ve experienced and that would be my mother and late father. Through their diligence and hard work, they raised my siblings and I to be well rounded individuals with strong work ethics. Not just by telling us what and hours to do it but by showing us through their examples. I definitely would not be here I am without their constant direction.

Instagram: @ogtriple