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Compassion and Faith - A true story:
The Littlest Firefighter
Photos By: Bob Walp
The Littlest Firefighter
The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son togrow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible.The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her sons dreams tocome true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to the local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona,where she met Fireman Bob Klein, a former Jaycee Chapter President, whohad a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride aroundthe block on a fire engine.
Later that day she went to the local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona,where she met Fireman Bob Klein, a former Jaycee Chapter President, whohad a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride aroundthe block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have yourson ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the Fire Station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'llgive us his sizes, we'll get a real uniform for him, with a real fire hat- not a toy one - with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer itback to the fire station. He was in Heaven. There were three fire callsin Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rodein the different fire engines, the paramedic's van and even the fire chief'scar. He was also video taped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavishedupon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer that anydoctor thought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the headnurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone,began to call the family members to the hospital. She also remembered theday that Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the fire chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospitalto be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screamingand the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there isnot a fire! It' just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room? Thanks."
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital,extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window and 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mothers permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him.
With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words Billy smiled and said, "I know He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing." He closed his eyes one last time while the fireman all stood around the bed with hands to their foreheads in a silent salute and tears on their cheeks.
Photos By: Bob Walp
Quotes:
"What you read about Billy, The littlest FF, is a true story. While it's a
great humanitarian story, it's unfortunately a sad ending in that we lost
Billy. But yes, this is factual. My department has 3 basic rules that we
enforce... survive, prevent harm, be nice. By empowering my firefighters
to do the right thing all the time, this is only one example, albeit a large one, of the customer service they deliver along with the fire service delivery."
Alan V. Brunacini
Fire Chief
Phoenix Fire Department
great humanitarian story, it's unfortunately a sad ending in that we lost
Billy. But yes, this is factual. My department has 3 basic rules that we
enforce... survive, prevent harm, be nice. By empowering my firefighters
to do the right thing all the time, this is only one example, albeit a large one, of the customer service they deliver along with the fire service delivery."
Alan V. Brunacini
Fire Chief
Phoenix Fire Department
