They're the ones who come to our rescue when we've been in a car crash or involved in a fire, but now one area fire department is pulling for one its own.
The firefighting community is rallying behind a volunteer firefighter in Rodney who remains in intensive care after he was severely injured in a crash while responding to an emergency.
Arrie Turner's locker at the Rodney Fire Hall won't be used anytime soon.
Bill McIntyre, president of the Rodney Fire Association, says "It was quite an eerie feeling about the call because at the time we did not know then that it was one of our own."
Last Friday, Turner was en route to the fire station to respond to an emergency call on Highway 401. The road was snowy and slippery and he lost control of his vehicle. It rolled and ended up in a field.
The 39-year-old was taken to the London Health Sciences Centre with neck and back injuries. He spent nine hours in surgery and remains in intensive care.
Rodney Fire Chief Jeff Slater says messages of support from other fire departments have been overwhelming.
"Not only Elgin County but from all over. We've had messages from Deer Lake, Newfoundland, from fire departments in the [United] States, all the area fire departments have contacted us. It's been phenomenal."
Turner had worked in the U.S. as a firefighter for 10 years before joining the team in Rodney as a volunteer about a year ago.
McIntyre says in his short time his colleague had already become heavily involved in his new community and the accident really hits home.
"There is a brotherhood amongst us and we all know the risks we take when we sign up to do the job whether we're volunteer, whether we're professional. And you know it makes you take a second look at every step that you take to make sure that we all come home."
A fundraiser for Turner's family will be held at the Rodney Recreation Centre on Saturday, Feb.8.
More information is available on the Rodney Fire Department Facebook page.
