Meet Brad, a burn-surviving firefighter, and our hero.

He has been with the Birmingham Fire Department for 15 years. 

In November 2011, the Company was sitting around the Fire Station when the call came.

“It was a one-story fire in the back-right section of the house.

We were first at the scene.

The fire had blown-out the back windows.

The front door was locked so we forced it.

We were blinded by the soupy black smoke.

We couldn’t see any fire so we pushed on.

We were hit in the face by a severe change in temperature.

 

The only thing stronger than the smoke was our Officer screaming: ‘GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!’

Then, everything went from black to bright orange.”

Brad had lost his bearings and he was on fire!

His pain multiplied to the nth degree!

He decided if he was going to get out, he’d have to stand-up and walk-out.

Suddenly, he saw a bright burning orange force and knew it was a window.

“I shattered it with my arm.”

When he rolled out into the front yard and still-on-fire, two brother-firefighters extinguished him.

Brad was transported to the Burn Center, where he was treated for weeks for his 25% burns, surgeries, and rehab.

I’ve told you everything he told me, but I haven’t come to the point. 

The real message is this: Brad went back!

Knowing what could happen again, Brad re-established himself in the line of fire.

I suppose it’s a bit like when your house on the banks of the river floods, and you respond by rebuilding on the same land because it is where you were planted.

It is bedrock.

Your touchstone!

What we’re still seeing from Brad is a Primal Courage written across his heart in indelible ink!

dawn

BTW-(If this is something that you would like to support, please visit us at www.ryanshines.com or follow us on FB and IG @ryanshinesburnfoundation)