I’ve always been afraid of fire. I have a particular fear of dying in a fire.

Some years ago, we had a small fire in the laundry room of the apartment building where I lived. I was never in serious danger, but I will never forget the choking, burning sensation in my throat and lungs as I crept through smoky hallways down three flights of stairs to the fresh air outside.

I often wonder about people who become firefighters. Do they overcome the fear? Or does their training keep them so focused on the job that they manage to keep the fear at bay?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. I saw a story about a seventeen-year-old who pulled a police officer from his burning car on November 8.  Joe Chambers, a high school senior and volunteer firefighter from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was visiting his sister in Philadelphia when he heard a crash. He said he immediately knew it was a car accident. A quick look out the window was enough for Joe to spot the spark of a fire.

At least one other Good Samaritan teamed up with Joe to extricate Officer Mark Kimsey from his car. The door wouldn’t open, so the teen and the other man pulled the officer out through a window and carried him to safety only moments before flames engulfed the vehicle.

Kimsey was responding to an emergency call. He had his lights flashing and siren blaring when he collided with a pickup truck. Joe and twenty-four-year-old Dante Johnson also pulled that driver from his vehicle.

Joe says “human instinct” kicked in. But I know my instinct would have been to stay out of harm’s way. I’m sure I would have called 911, but I don’t think I would run toward a fire to save a stranger.

I think Joe is a hero. Councilman David J. Wright thinks so too.  In a resolution honoring Joe Chambers for his actions, the Delaware County Council resolution declares that “the bravery of a young hero like this shines as a bright inspiration to all.”

Amen!

How do you think you would respond if you were called on to risk your personal safety for another person?

Do you know someone personally who acted heroically in a dangerous situation?