Firefighter Beats Odds, Gears up with West Whiteland, PA, Fire Company
When Emily Gindele donned her West Whiteland Fire Company turnout gear, she was defying the odds.
It's been a long, painful journey to accomplish her goal -- not just surving but being strong enough to return to her fire company as a volunteer firefighter.
Gindele and Colin Reedy, a fellow firefighter, were responding to a call during a storm when their vehicle hydroplaned and hit a tree, WPVI reported.
Reedy, her future husband, was killed and Gindele barely survived.
She spent more than a month in the hospital recovering from a spinal fracture, broken ribs, a traumatic brain injury, a stroke, and the removal of her spleen.
"I lost the biggest part of my life, Colin, in that accident, and like I said, I feel like I lost part of myself just because of all of my injuries," she said, adding that the passion they shared for each other and serving the community kept her moving.
"He would be really proud of me for keeping going, especially after everything I've been through, and I know he's here with me now. I know it. So, that brings me a lot of joy."
West Whiteland Fire Capt. Mark Vitanza Jr. told a reporter: "It's great having Emily back. She's an inspiration to us all."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.