First responders brave dangers each day so the rest of us may stay safe. When tragedy strikes they run to the danger—not from it. Whether it’s earthquakes, floods, house fires, mass shootings, domestic disputes, drownings, or heart attacks, they are the ones who lift us up and save our lives.
These brave men and women don’t hesitate when others shy away. They put their life and safety second and they are the protectors of our society. Yet, we often take our first responders for granted. We assume they will always be there, on call, 24/7.
Below are two stories that made the national news recently, that show how important first responders are and how they go beyond what is expected of them to help those in need.
The first story tells of a Washington, D.C., firefighter who caught a toddler hanging from the second-floor window of a burning building.
“You could see the front door was filled with black smoke, and as we were advancing with the attack line to the front of the building, a father was hanging out of the window with his child,” reported fire fighter Kenny McKiney.
The 17-year fire veteran said the father, trapped amid billowing smoke, told him, “Catch my child; don’t drop him.”
McKiney said the dad then released the toddler, who dropped almost 20 feet. Remarkably, the little boy was uninjured and calm during the incident.
“When he dropped the child down, I extended my arms, and when I felt the child made contact,” McKiney said. “I just cradled the child to my body. Everything happened so fast, I didn’t even have time to get nervous. I saw a job that had to get done, and I was trying to execute it to the best of my ability.”
Praise God the situation ended positively, as firefighters also rescued the rest of the boy’s family; everyone was successfully brought to safety.
The second story is from Greensboro, North Carolina, where one of their stations blessed a family this past Christmas. It shows how first responders not only save lives but still care for the victims after the fire.
Crystal Givens returned home the evening of Dec. 22 after spending four hours at the hospital with her husband. When she arrived, she watched her entire house—including the family puppy, Bella—go up in flames. It looked as though a bleak Christmas lay ahead for the family, including Givens, her husband and their three children, ages 3, 4 and 12, until a group local firefighters came to the rescue.
Not only did the family lose Bella, but they also lost their clothes, toys, furniture and even their Christmas presents. But Captain Ken Lilly, one of the firefighters responding that night, stepped in to help along with his fellow firefighters. They organized a fund raising campaign to help the family out. Other stations also contributed money to help this Family.
Givens shares the spiritual impact of the incredible gift she and her family received from the firefighters on Christmas Eve. “I cried on my way over here. I tell everybody I lost everything but my faith, and that’s what’s keeping me going right now. I have to keep faith; He’s not going to bring me this far to let me go now. God bless the firemen who helped us through this terrible experience.”
“We just hoped it would bless her family at Christmas and just give them a fresh start, because they lost everything,” Lilly responded.
These two stories made the national news but there has been many instances that our local first responders have done things for our communities that you have never hear about but are just as heroic.
This issue of the Good News Journal is dedicated to the brave men and woman of our local EMS and Fire Departments. We need to lift them up in prayer each day and when you encounter a first responder at the store, getting coffee, at you church or where ever it might be, take a moment to tell them how much you appreciate their contributions to our community.
No matter how you express your heartfelt gratitude for those who put their lives on the line every day—it’s a small way to be the hands and feet of Christ and to impart His love. Letting these courageous, dedicated first responders know that the body of Christ cares and appreciates them makes a huge difference. A simple “thank you” helps keep morale strong and a prayer provides the support they need from God!