Firefighter Holds Tiny Baby Tight After Car Wreck 'This Is Why I Do the Job'
A team of firefighters from the Chattanooga Fire Department in Tennessee was called to Highway 58 to respond to a car accident on June 2.
The car accident was reported to involve a pregnant mother and her three young children, ranging from ages 4 months to 7 years.
“After getting back to the hall from a house fire last Saturday in 4’s district (I was literally in the shower), Engine 6 was dispatched to a car incident on Highway 58. The incident included the driver — a pregnant mother — and her three small children who were in the back seat,” Captain Chris Blazek wrote on Facebook. “The mother was hysterical because she was having abdominal and back pain.”
Since the mother was pregnant, it was imperative that the firefighters do everything they could to transport her to the hospital immediately.
As for her other three children, the two older girls were fine, but the baby was rather upset after the crash.
“So I took her out of her car seat and did a quick physical exam to make sure she was okay. She immediately laid her head on my shoulder,” Blazek said. “Shortly after that I decided that my guys had the scene under control, so I decided to sit and take a break with my new friend. She immediately fell asleep in my arms. Mom was transported and Engine 6 personnel stayed on scene with the children until they were turned over to family members.”
Someone on scene decided to take a picture to capture this precious moment, and the photo has gone viral because of the love and selflessness it portrays.
Chattanooga Fire Department posted this iconic photo on Facebook, along with Blazek’s original Facebook caption regarding the event.
Blazek’s mother-in-law commented on the post, “This is my big-hearted son-in-law who is a dedicated firefighter and a compassionate human being.”
The photo of Blazek cradling the little girl after the accident has inspired words of praise from people everywhere.
The mother from the accident, Whittley Hightower, also expressed her appreciation. She said, “I really want to say thank you for being there for my three girls. It was such a scary moment for all of us. God bless you.”
Blazek, having a wife and four little girls of his own, clearly understands the necessity of comforting children during this time.
And if Blazek ever reaches a point where he questions his calling, he can look back at this moment.
“It’s moments like this, that I am reminded, this is why I do the job,” Blazek wrote.
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