CHICAGO (WGN) — A 20-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department is facing an unexpected future after being critically injured while fighting a fire in Burnside Friday.

John Anderson has spent the last two decades of his life in service to the city aboard Truck 42 stationed at the firehouse near East 91st Street and South Cottage Grove Avenue, where his fellow firefighters laud him for being a talented chef.

“He’s been here the longest — over two decades,” said Chris Steinmetz, Captain of Truck 42. “He’s the dad of the firehouse.”

Anderson is also of a family lineage that has served the city for generations. He followed in the footsteps of his older Brother Roy, who followed in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather before him as firefighters in Chicago.

“I’m a retired firefighter with 32 years of service,” Roy Anderson said. “We wish [John] nothing but the best.”

But after fighting a fire in the city’s Burnside neighborhood on Friday, “the dad of the firehouse” is facing life in a wheelchair.

“During the performance of his duties, a large object fell on him,” Steinmetz said. “He was catastrophically injured. He suffered spinal fractures … broken shoulder … [he] was transported to the hospital and unfortunately, he’s permanently paralyzed.”

Steinmetz told WGN News Anderson is likely to never walk again and his rehabilitation process will be long and extensive, which led to his family, friends and fellow firefighters setting up a fundraiser for him online.

The link can be found at the bottom of this article.

“Everyone is coming together to support him, figure out what we can do to prepare him for the challenges going forward,” Steinmetz said. “It’s going to be a lot.”

In spite of the hand he’s been dealt, everyone on Truck 42, Engine 82 and Ambulance 37 said Anderson is staying true to his positive nature, and handling everything the best he can.

“He’s doing well considering the trauma he’s experienced,” Steinmetz said. “Everyone is a tight-knit family [here]. We are taking care of each other.”

For those interested in making a donation to help Anderson cover his medical expenses, visit this link: https://www.theyardfoundation.org/mayday/john-anderson

If you want to help in a non-monetary way or offer kind words of support, you can email Anderson’s family here: strongforjohn@gmail.com

“We’re trying to get as much as we can together for him so we can do the best we can for him,” Steinmetz said.