Jumpline MAG_Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 21
Alex Trinchet
MDFR Chaplaincy
Chaplain‘s Corner
21
Out of those humble beginnings came the Phoenix Group—a
ragtag, “misfit” group of firefighters that has been going strong
for over five years now.
Hi my name is Alex, and I’m an
addict of different vices, through
the decades. Not your usual
introduction for a Chaplain’s
Corner—but nevertheless, a
warranted one.
My story starts in high school as a teenager of the
’80s. I drank a lot with my friends and spent plenty of
time in the club scene even though I went to church on Sundays. My life during the week didn’t re昀氀ect that. Three weeks after high school graduation, I was in the military. First came basic
training, then infantry training, then Airborne school, followed
by three weeks of “hell week” to become an Army Ranger in
the 1st Ranger Battalion. Once I got to Savannah, Georgia, and
settled in, I could honestly say I was a functional Army Ranger
alcoholic. I could drink all night and still run 昀椀ve miles the next
day. I binge drank on and off for about two years. During my last
year, due to certain circumstances, I began to taper off. However, when I was honorably discharged in 1994, my transition to
civilian life was dif昀椀cult. On one side, I was focused on earning
certi昀椀cations—EMT, paramedic, and 昀椀re昀椀ghter. On the other, I
was drinking heavily, and my life was heading down a dangerous path. Then something happened. In the summer of 1996, I
attended a spiritual retreat with my father. My intention was simply to spend time with him—not to have a spiritual experience.
But God had other plans. Through different events that week, it
felt like a warning: if I didn’t change, instead of being on top of
the world, the world would come crashing down on me.
When I returned from that retreat, I spoke with someone. I
admitted that I was addicted—to alcohol, to the club scene, to
many things. He introduced himself, and in desperation I said,
“Your name is 昀椀ne, but I need help.” He saw it in my face—and
he helped. He invited me to join a small group of young people he led, and he became my mentor. It wasn’t easy, but
through faith, mentorship, and that small group,
I received the help and healing I so desperately
needed. I could never repay him for what he did for me in
1996. So I decided to pay it forward. God opened doors, and I
began mentoring others. For three decades now, I’ve led and
participated in small groups.
Fast forward to the 昀椀re service in 2000. I saw 昀椀rsthand how addiction was affecting and destroying so
many 昀椀re昀椀ghters. God placed a heavy idea on my
heart: the need is too great— do something about
it! I reached out to Local 1403, and they graciously
offered their support. I also reached out to the department, and given the success of previous programs, they
were willing to help as well. Then people began to join the
cause. First was Fred O. De Frias, then Doug Keller & Jason
Blasi and the last one that created the committed 5 was Eric De
Armas from the City of Miami. Out of those humble beginnings
came the Phoenix Group—a ragtag, “mis昀椀t” group of 昀椀re昀椀ghters
that has been going strong for over 昀椀ve years now.
What I 昀椀nd there is powerful. No, it’s not church. It’s people
from all walks of faith—or no faith at all—being brutally honest.
One moment, there are “F-bombs” being dropped; the next,
someone is expressing a deep need for divine help. It’s real.
I’ve seen it. I don’t go because I’m a chaplain. I go because I’m
a recovering addict from many different vices. It’s like I master one, and another pops up—pride, ego, adrenaline from the
nature of the job, or something else. Life really does come full
circle sometimes. Thirty years ago when this article comes out,
I found help through a mentor and a small group. For the last
30 years, I’ve needed that same kind of support to live the life I
have today and also pay it forward as well.
The Phoenix Group is a place where you can be
real and be yourself—and in the process, receive
support from others who are going through it just
like you. My encouragement to you is this: if you 昀椀nd yourself
in that place like I was 30 years ago, share it with someone—
and join us at the Phoenix Group. You have got nothing to lose
and all to gain. For more details, check out the Phoenix Group
section of this Jumpline.
God bless you all. Keep serving, keep leading, and Keep
“Always Ready, Proud to Serve”.
Spring 2026 | JUMPLINE Magazine
