Being a firefighter can be a dirty job, but someone has to do it. And on occasion, that same person has to clean up the mess, too.

That was the case for a California fire captain who finished a medical emergency call at home by vacuuming after he and other Santee firefighters tracked mud in.  

"Our goal is to leave places we visit in the same or better condition than when we find them," stated the caption on a Facebook photo that showed Capt. Chris Thompson pushing a vacuum.

The fire department told KNSD-TV that Thompson and other firefighters responded to a medical emergency call at the home New Year's Day. But in order to get into the home, they needed to climb through a window. Because of that, they tracked in a bit of dirt and mud, which led Thompson to do some housekeeping.

"When people come home from the hospital, the last thing they probably want to do is clean up a mess we created," the fire department said in a statement, according to KNSD.

Thompson's photo has gone viral after the department posted it on its Facebook page, with many readers praising him for his cleanliness.

"What a nice guy. His crew took care of the patient & cleaned up after them. He is a True Caring Firefighter," wrote one commenter.

"It’s almost instinctual isn’t it? Have you ever visited a fire station?? Have you ever seen a dirty fire house? Been married to a fireman/woman?? Love them!!!" another commenter stated.