Our Firemen Are Blessed In A Special Way Each Day!

The Littlest Fireman

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 to grow 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 to come true.

She took her sons 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 grow up.

Mom smiled back and said, Lets see if we can make your wish come true.

Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix! She explained her sons final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six year old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, Look, we can do better than that. If youll have your son ready at seven oclock Wednesday morning, well 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 youll give us his sizes, well get a real fire 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. Theyre 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. Bill got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.

There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedics van, and even the fire chiefs car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, will al the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop drastically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family member to the hospital. Then she remembered the day 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 hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, We can do better than that. Well be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? Its just the fire department coming to see one of its finest member one more time. And will you open the window in his room? Thanks.

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital extended its ladder up to Billys third floor open window and 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billys room. With his mothers permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how they loved him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, Chief, am I really a fireman now?

With those words, Billy closed his eyes one last time.

In honor of all the firefighters and paramedics who do an outstanding job!