GIRARDVILLE, Pa. — Volunteer firefighters made a man with cerebral palsy a firefighter for a day.
WNEP.com reported that a video posted on Facebook by the Ranger (Pa.) Hose Company has gone viral. In the video, Terry O’Boyle has his power chair turned into a special firefighting apparatus. The fire company simulated his first call into service.
“I saw the video. My son came home and said, ‘Dad, come take a look at this.’ It brought tears to my eyes,” Ranger Hose Company Fire Chief Frank Zangari said.
Crews gave Terry an official firefighter pager and helmet, which never leaves his sight.
“This morning it was on his chest, too. He fell asleep that way with a helmet on his chest,” Terrance O’Boyle, Terry’s father, said.
In June, Terry will lead a parade to celebrate the 100th birthday of the company’s Model T fire truck.
“He’s definitely one of us,” Chief Zangari said. “He’s part of our family through and through. There’s no doubt about that. He’s more than an honorary firefighter.”