By FireRescue1 Staff
WESTERLY, R.I. — First responders went above and beyond the call of duty Oct. 14 when they aided an elderly man with his yard work.
Firefighters and paramedics responded to a call after a 92-year-old fell outside his home, but the man refused to leave his yard work unfinished, reported the Westerly Sun.
“It was a rather simple request. He was concerned about the leaves getting cleared and we had the time, so we told him we would take care of it,” Dunn’s Corners Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Johnson said. “The smile he gave us alone made it worth it.”
Chief Johnson, firefighter-EMT Chris Wells, firefighter Josh Gabriel and Capt. Rick Mosher of the Westerly Ambulance Corps finished the man’s remaining work before leaving.
The four were recognized for their efforts Monday after their act of kindness was made public on Facebook.
“It was something we could do to help, to make his life easier and to assure he was able to rest when he finally got home,” Wells said.
Fire Chief Michael J. Fink and Westerly Ambulance Corps Chief Bethany Gingerella both said the gesture was a reflection of how the two departments continue to work together.
“It shows the compassion and dedication that our staff, and the staff at Westerly Ambulance, have for this community,” Chief Fink said. “These guys regularly go above and beyond the call of duty and truly make our departments the best that they can be.”