Random Act of Kindness
From firefighters going the extra mile for members of their communities, to civilians paying it forward for their local fire departments, here are the most heartwarming fire service stories from this year
“It’s not in our job description, but there are things, those things we enjoy doing,” said Cincinnati Fire Lt. Bill Feckter
Donations
“Step Up To The Plate” is a campaign launched by CAL FIRE/Fresno County Fire to collect donations of baseball cards for kids affected by the Creek Fire
Firefighters intervened after Greg Ferone’s father, a retired Vietnam War Army captain, could not attend his graduation
“Worcester’s Bravest” was created by Wormtown Brewery and Wachusett Brewing Company to raise money for Christopher Roy’s daughter Ava
The marble piece is a gift to the station after a rescuer there pulled artist Eric Waller and a friend from a car wreck in June 2012
Neighboring fire agencies staffed three Kootenai County Fire and Rescue stations so the firefighters could mourn the death of a colleague’s daughter
The Santee Fire Department shared a photo of a captain cleaning up a home after he and his crew climbed through a window to reach a patient
Firefighters, EMS providers and police officers surprised the Pierro family with gifts and well wishes a month after 6-year-old Kierra underwent cardiac arrest
Xavier, 7, received a new bike as a reward for when he called 911 and calmly reported his mother was “on the floor unresponsive”
Anastasia and Daniel Skinner named their baby after Mickey Huber, who responded to Anastasia’s call when she went into labor while trying to rescue her mom’s pets
After a crash left their mother dead and their father and sister hospitalized, five kids were given a Christmas surprise by the St. Louis Fire Department
Rob McClara and his wife started a fundraiser for 9-year-old Angel’s family and have raised more than $3,000 after being inspired by her generosity
Donations
A veteran and his wife, who are moving to North Carolina, packed up a large storage truck filled with most of their belongings to help dozens of families
Donations
Firefighter Lete Sanchez now has a place to sleep after Woody Faircloth delivered the converted bus from Colorado
2018 Year in Review
From finishing a pizza delivery to standing in for a hurt colleague at a graduation ceremony, firefighters performed some pretty great acts of kindness this year
Four Kern County firefighters bought more than 200 Target gift cards and gave them away to Butte County residents on their days off
Edgewater firefighter David Blair donated his kidney to Heidi Hughes after responding to a social media post seeking help by Hughes’ father
Veterans
Two different fire departments and a stranger helped Ed DeKnight get home safely after he found himself stranded at the grocery store
The Hattiesburg Fire Department raised $1,400 for Harlie Williams, 8, who was the recipient of their annual No Shave November fundraiser
U.S. Navy Airman Isaiah Johnson dressed up as a firefighter and responded to a “fire alarm” at his parent’s house after getting leave to see them for the holiday
A GoFundMe page launched by the colleagues of Steve Morris, who lost everything in the Camp Fire, has raised more than $13,000
Turkey dinners with all the trimmings were served for some 200 first responders who came for dinner in shifts
Olympia firefighter Rick Leo was prompted to fix up an old wheelchair van for Lupe Rodriguez after witnessing her positive attitude while responding to a call at her home
NFL
The Rams brought first responders and victims togther in no more than few days’ time, and gave away thousands of tickets to those most affected by the tragedies
Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department Asst. Chief Ray Elmore, who lost his leg in a motorcycle crash, will return home to a new ramp thanks to his colleagues
Tommy Maher was inspired to bring hope to trauma survivors after experiencing the kindness of others when his department lost a colleague on 9/11
After Raleigh Haas died in August, his colleagues kept his Christmas tradition alive by hanging the lights he put up at his house every year
The actor teamed up with Wild Turkey and presented “turkey feasts” to first responders, 911 dispatchers and emergency room staff
Keith Urban dedicated his Charlottesville concert to Lt. Brad Clark, who was killed when a tractor-trailer crashed into his fire truck
The Boston Fire Department gave the tickets, donated to them by UFC fighter Conor McGregor, to patients at the Shriners Hospital for Children
Children
Firefighters, EMS providers and police officers made a big show when arriving at 8-year-old Jenciel Filero’s home to give him a bike after his was destroyed
Kansas City Fire Department responders helped Ken Hargis down from the attic and finished his insulation work afterwards
MOST POPULAR
- Firefighter goes above and beyond to help family of young girl
- Firefighters reward kid for quick-thinking in emergency, build bikes for others
- Mich. fire Lt. donates liver to colleague
- Artist thanks Duluth rescue crew with marble carving
- Breweries create beer to raise money for fallen firefighter’s daughter