3-Year-Old Takes Over Clearwater Fire Station, Wins Over Hearts

CLEARWATER, FL -- A 3-year-old with aspirations to become a firefighters despite battling a debilitating disease had his dream come true Friday, June 29, when Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department's Station 45 made him Chief for a Day.

Eli Bright, who came to Clearwater from Lebanon, Kentucky, with his family, got the VIP treatment from the firefighters. There were gifts, including a pint-sized firefighter's helmet, lunch prepared by the firefighters, bouquets of balloon, a chance to try out some of the station's equipment and, best of all, an opportunity to meet some of his real-life heroes.

The curly-haired 3-year-old quickly won the hearts of fire and rescue personnel at the station, said Chief Scott Ehlers of Station 45, 1140 Court St.

"Eli is a special little boy," he said. "I think our firefighters were as excited as he was."

After touring the fire station, enjoying a lunch with firefighters and trying out some of the equipment including spraying the hose at a target, Eli boarded a fire truck for a ride to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to see Winter the Dolphin.

Although Eli's mother, older brother and older sister repeatedly expressed their gratitude, Ehlers said the joy on the face of the little boy was all the thanks the firefighters needed.

Images via Clearwater Fire & Rescue