In November, 2007, a white van and a red vehicle were going about their business, their drivers doing errands and taking care of business. Suddenly, something went wrong and the vehicles crashed together. The white van rolled and the red car erupted into flames. A female in the red car was trying to escape the fire.
Lt. Gary Griffiths has been a firefighter with Chesterfield Fire and EMS for nearly a decade. During those years he has gained many skills and taken part in helping those with emergencies.
He's helped fight many fires, and has seen his share of motor vehicle crashes, both minor and those that have been tragic. Lt. Griffiths is currently serving on Engine 1. Station 1 houses an engine, an ambulance and a brush truck.
Lt. Jeff Butler is serving on Truck 7. Station 7 houses an engine, a brush truck, a tanker, an ambulance, a boat and an aerial ladder truck.
Griffiths and Butler both had the day off, each were running errands and taking care of their personal business. Destiny would cross their paths.
Lt. Griffiths was inside a business. "I heard the crash," said Lt. Griffiths. "I went outside saw the accident had occurred and called dispatch for help. One vehicle was overturned and one was on fire."
Lt Butler had just stopped at a business nearby. "I was headed home," Lt. Butler explained, "and had just pulled into a WaWa. I saw the accident, one vehicle was overturned and a car was on fire."
Instinct and training kicked in and both men quickly headed to the scene. Butler had grabbed a fire extinquisher and attempted to put out the fire. "It just wasnât going out," Butler explained. Together as a team, Griffiths and Butler assisted the woman out of the burning vehicle.
Fire apparatus, medical crews and police officers began arriving on scene.
The woman now safe, was transported to a local hospital.
The two firefighters who were off duty and who served at opposite ends of the county, ended up at the same area at the same time, had come together for a few moments united in cause, to do what they do best, save lives.
The accident occurred at Winterpock and Hull Street. Condition of the patient has not been released, but officials said her injuries did not appear to be life threatening.
