Viral photo shows fire captain comforting child after call

By FireRescue1 Staff

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A photo of a fire captain comforting a child after a call has gone viral.

The Chattanooga Fire Department shared a photo of Captain Chris Blazek leaning against a car holding a sleeping girl. In the post, Blazek is quoted saying that he was in the shower after returning from a house fire when he was dispatched to a vehicle incident involving a pregnant mother and three young children.

“The mother was hysterical because she was having abdominal and back pain,” Blazek said. “The children ranged in age from 7 years to 4 months. Both big girls were fine, but the baby was screaming hysterically too. So I took her out of her car seat and did a quick physical exam to make sure she was OK. She immediately laid her head on my shoulder.”

Blazek added that he made sure the scene was under control, and then he “decided to sit and take a break” with his “new friend.”

“She immediately fell asleep in my arms,” he said. “Mom was transported and Engine 6 personnel stayed on scene with the children until they were turned over to family members. It's moments like this, that I am reminded, this is why I do the job."