Holy S&*T: Off-duty firefighters smash window, climb into flaming car to save kid! (video)

[armyowalgreens]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/21/milwaukee.rescue/index.html#cnnSTCVideo


:wow: My hat goes off to those guys. They really are heroes.

[mama]

1. When I was a youngster in a rural area

Every one had a sharp pocketknife handy. Now, even the littlest dime-store swiss army knives are confiscated at concerts & ballgames.
I wish it were possible for my sons to carry a small knife, but they would get kicked out of school.

This reminded me to sharpen one and put it in the glovebox of the car!

[mwb970]

3. My dad used to keep a fairly good-sized knife around.

It was a super high quality one. He called it a "toad stabber" (though he would never have stabbed a toad, nor anything else). It mostly got used for household tasks like cutting a stubborn ribbon on a Christmas gift.

The glovebox idea is a good one. You never know when you (or someone else) will need it!

[zipplewrath]

4. I still do

Old habit from my scouting days. I always have a pocket knife. But I know what you mean, I've had to mail it back to myself from more than one airport. And I've been turned away at a court house or two (just went back and put it in the car). Almost didn't get to go to Ellis Island because the ferry didn't want to let me on, but the screener asked the supervisor for an exception.

It's sad really, in a time when so many complain about the lack of personal responsibility, and preparedness on the part of people after natural disasters, we are simultaneously discouraging one of the most basic "tools" of preparedness. It's more than a "knife", it's a screw driver, a can/bottle opener, a pry bar, a cork screw, scissors/clippers, tweezers, etc. I've used it for first aid on more than one occasion. And the truth is, a standard pocket knife makes a lousy weapon, far more likely to injure the user in any attempt to attack someone else.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. There is a tool you can get

that is a combination hammer and knife that is to be used in just suck emergencies--the hammer knocks out the window and the knife part cuts away the seat belt. Seeing this makes me want to go and get one of those.

[shadowknows69]

2. That's what they do, and thank the Gods for all of them.

Amazing video, but the camera guy probably could have helped too. I'm not sure I like the motivations of some amateur videographers.

[trumad]

6. Oh come on---there were 10 people on it...

I'm glad he recorded this amazing heroism.

[KittyWampus]

10. as someone who's related to emergency responders- sometimes the best thing you can do to help

is stay out of the way.

[shadowknows69]

13. And as someone who used to be in the media

Sometimes people just film horrifying crap because they know they can make a buck off it.

[shadowknows69]

14. Not saying he could have helped. but it did intially look to me

That the guy trying to break the window could have used some.

[Th1onein]

5. And there he is, onstage, making sure everyone who helped got credit.

These are truly heroes. I watched this film clip and I cried. These people are proof of the great goodness that human beings are capable of.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. They are true heroes

and graciously gave credit to the bystanders who helped as well. Hope all recover from their burns soon.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. They were on the ABC News last night with the video.

[Vidar]

11. Applauding the heroic firefighters.

[Nordmadr]

12. Being a first time dad with

a one month old daughter. This video and story struck home in a way I had not anticipated.

"We took an oath as firefighters," John Rechlitz told WTMJ. "A duty to act, a willingness to serve, and that's what we were doing. Regardless if we were on duty or off duty."

At a news conference Tuesday at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, D.J.'s father, James Harper, struggled to contain his emotion as he thanked those who helped save his son.

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to hold it together, but it's my little boy," he said. "I just want to thank everybody, the citizens of Milwaukee, for helping us.

"There are angels all around us."


Totally awesome to see.

Nordmadr

[backtoblue]

15. Oh, no I hit unrec on accident, someone please rec this for me!!

kick!

[reflection]

16. I rec'd it for you.

;)

[backtoblue]

17. Thanks!

:hi:

[undeterred]

18. Terrible accident, great response

And how lucky to have real emergency personnel at the right time and place. Waiting for response to the call would have taken too long.

[Regret My New Name]

19. So when I go aroud breaking windows and pull people out of cars, I'm called a bad guy....

this guy does it an he's a hero?

What's wrong with that picture?

Absolutely nothing, I'm just an easily amused idiot.

[armyowalgreens]

20. bump