“Superman” Firefighter Retires After 35 Years

A local firefighter affectionately known as "Superman" will be retiring after spending more than 35 years on the force.

Steve "Superman" Wiseman once saved eight people from a burning house, all while wearing gym shorts. 

"I had some close calls in my life but that was probably one of the closest," Wiseman said.

And it's not the daring, life-saving rescue that got him the nickname.

Wiseman had just gone through a bevvy of operations -- two knee surgeries, a neck fusion, a back operation -- and immediately returned back to work at the Montgomery County Fire Department.

"My body has been telling me for the past couple years it's time to go, it's starting to break down a little bit," he said. 

Family, friends and co-workers shared affectionate stories of "Superman" Wednesday.

"It's very emotional," Wiseman said. "I feel like I'm losing a part of my family."

Though he is retiring, his two sons -- firefighters with the Prince George's County Fire Department -- will continue his legacy. 

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!" Wiseman joked. 

Wiseman, a single father, raised his boys in College Park.

"I look at them and I say, 'We did good.' I've raised my boys on baseball and the fire department."

He told News4's Zachary Kiesch after 35 years, he could operate a fire engine's seemingly complicated levers blindfolded. 

"I loved going to work because I knew I was going to make a difference in somebody's life," Wiseman said.

On his last day, Wiseman got to work with his two sons.

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