MALIBU, Calif. — Firefighters and people worldwide have rallied to support a man who lost everything in the Palisades Fire.
Garrett Knapp listens to his fire and police scanner daily as a reflection of his lifelong passion for firefighting. Though a learning disability kept him from pursuing a career in the field, his dedication never wavered, KABC reported.
“I wanted to be a wildland firefighter since I was a kid to fight fires, but since my problems I have, it’s been difficult,” Knapp said.
The Palisades Fire not only destroyed his family’s home but also claimed a cherished collection of firefighter t-shirts he had gathered over the years.
“It just blows my mind what a fire can do today,” Knapp said. “You lose all your precious shirts and your coins. I got a special coin from the LAPD two years ago that burned.”
A simple social media post to replace his lost shirts sparked a global wave of support from the firefighting community. Hundreds of shirts and pieces of memorabilia have poured in from departments around the world, including Germany, the Netherlands and Israel.
Knapp has been eagerly hoping to add an Anaheim Fire shirt to his collection, drawn by the department’s high activity. When Anaheim Fire and Rescue Chief Pat Russell heard his story, he arranged to send gear his way.
For Knapp, the outpouring of support from fire departments everywhere has been a powerful reminder of the brotherhood he’s now part of.
