Firefighters Sing Happy Birthday To Son, 3, During Tick Fire

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —A 3-year-old boy got a special birthday message this year while his father was away fighting the Tick Wildfire in Los Angeles County. The Orange County firefighter, unable to attend son Parker's 3rd birthday party, sent the only present he could. He lined up his engine crew and sang him "Happy Birthday," and sent it to his family over Instagram.

The singing firefighters were dusty, fresh off the fire lines. Some wore sooty outlines of goggles, and all wore soot- and ash-covered boots from digging containment lines, keeping the fire at bay.

For a week, they have worked to protect people they do not know and will likely never meet. That video, seen on Instagram almost 8,000 times, tugged at heartstrings across the state and the nation.

The most challenging aspect of battling wildfires isn't the actual firefight, according to an Orange County Fire spokesperson, but being away from home. Firefighters work shifts day after day, helping others, with family never far from their thoughts.

Miles away, their wives and loved ones dressed up the kids for Halloween, took them trick-or-treating on a chilly Halloween night in mild breezes. The Santa Ana winds were dying down, and soon crews would return to their home stations.

"We're away from our families to help protect yours," a spokesperson for the group said on Instagram. "Sometimes we miss out on holidays, our children's sporting events, anniversaries and yes, even birthdays."

Thanks to a message sent over social media, even 3-year-old Parker was able to see his dad and share the love posted across the miles.

An overwhelming response for both for Parker and his dad followed the posting of the video. All of the Instagram post's views and subsequent messages of support had a common thread among them: A note of gratitude for those who put their own lives on hold for the sake of others.
"Happy Birthday, Parker," Jere Simpson said. "We are so grateful you loaned us your dad to save us!"

Parker's father's message was among the thousands.

"Glad I could sing to you Parker," he said. "Sorry Dad did not make it home."