Fired for Biblical Marriage Views, Former Fire Chief Explains How Faith Carried Him Through Persecution

Kelvin Cochran served as a firefighter for over three decades. He was named “Fire Chief of the Year” in 2012, and former President Barack Obama appointed him the U.S. Fire Administrator, the highest fire service post in the nation. 

But Cochran faced a different kind of fire in 2015 when he was terminated as Atlanta’s fire chief for writing a book in which he expressed his personal views that marriage is between one man and one woman. Cochran reached a settlement with the city of Atlanta in 2018, but says the experience of losing his job because of his faith was “challenging, to say the least.” 

As Americans, “we have the freedom to live out our faith, religious liberty, and we have freedom to speak our faith in whatever form of speech that we feel convicted to do without consequences,” Cochran says. “You shouldn't have to lose anything for living out your faith or speaking in your faith in our country.” 

Cochran joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss his new book, “Facing the Fire: The Faith That Brought ‘America’s Fire Chief’ Through the Flames of Persecution.” 

We also cover these stories: 

• Former Secretary of State and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell dies due to complications from COVID-19.
• The Supreme Court issues two opinions that are being hailed as big wins for police officers. 
• Ongoing tensions continue between Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and city police officers over vaccine mandates.

Enjoy the show!

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