GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A seven-year-old battling cancer got to make a special stop at a Florida fire station Thursday.
MyGTN.com reported Riley Ruppert-Richedollar has been interested in becoming a firefighter since he was a toddler. While he was visiting Gainesville Fire Rescue, Riley got to wear PPE, put out a fire and was made an honorary member of the department.
“It is a great distraction, not only for him but for us as well,” said Scott Ruppert, Riley’s father. “When we are here at a fire station and we see him just so intensely involved in understanding what it is that they’re doing and what equipment works and how to operate it and what it’s meant to be used for.”
Riley has spent some time in fire stations around Jacksonville and was familiar with fire equipment and the department.
“We were surprised to see his level of knowledge, he’s not a rookie, he really knows what he’s doing,” Wes Breeden, a paramedic for Gainesville Fire Rescue, said.
The firefighters said Riley is an inspiration to them, according to the report.
“Seeing someone that young fighting through what he’s going through and you know not giving up, that inspires us to be even better firefighters and inspires us to continue to serve others,” firefighter Jamal Hafiz said.
Riley was diagnosed with cancer last year after complaining of headaches. Doctors found a tumor in his brain. The cancer was caught early and treatment seems to be working, according to Riley’s father.