Why Have Off-Duty Seattle Firefighters Saved So Many Lives?

SEATTLE, WA - A series of almost divine events featuring off-duty Seattle firefighters have happened recently. There have been three instances recently where Seattle's bravest have been just happened upon horrific highway crashes - and have intervened to surely save lives across Western Washington and beyond.

Don't believe it? Here they are from most to least recent:

April 29, 2018: Seattle Lt. Chris Carter, away on a military deployment in Colorado Springs, Colo., came across a motorcycle crash along Highway 24 in Manitou Springs, Colo. Carter, first on the scene, found a seriously injured 54-year-old man. The man's motorcycle had flipped over three times, and Carter was able to provide first aid until the local firefighters got to the scene (pictured above). But he didn't stop there: Carter stayed with the man and continued to provide aid on the way from the scene.

April 7, 2018: Firefighter Josh McBride was driving to Seattle along I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass. Just west of the summit, he came across a bad multi-car crash. McBride pulled in front of the crash, put his hazard lights on, and provided aid to the most gravely injured person at the scene.

When local Snoqualmie Pass firefighters arrived, McBride stayed at the scene, helping the locals use the jaws of life to cut a car open and free a man. Eastside Fire eventually arrived at the scene, transporting the victim to Harborview.

February 6, 2018: On his way to work, firefighter Chris Quinlan was driving to Seattle northbound along I-5 near Chehalis. He came across a collision involving several semi-trailers and cars. Quinlan was first on the scene, and was able to help the victims. He pulled one man from a burning pickup truck and began performing first aid on him. Even after local firefighters got to the scene, Quinlan stuck around to keep helping.

“He could have easily drove by without stopping, but it was his servant heart and professional actions which gave this patient his best chance of survival,” Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale said of Quinlan's actions that day.

Clearly, Seattle firefighters are out there, willing to help, whether they're commuting to work or heading to military duty.

Images courtesy Seattle fire department