Fort Worth Firefighter Carries Homeless Man to Safety

A Fort Worth firefighter carried a homeless man on his back through snow and ice, saving him from hypothermia just moments before he started seizing.

On January 25, the Fort Worth Fire Department's HOPE Team returned to a large encampment under a bridge off East 9th Street. They'd visited the day before offering rides to warming shelters, and now they were checking on those who'd stayed behind in freezing temperatures.

Everyone was ready to leave this time. But four people had no shoes because their footwear had frozen solid overnight.

The firefighters faced a steep embankment covered in ice and snow. Rather than risk anyone walking barefoot up the treacherous hill, they made a decision: they would carry people to safety.

One man was visibly exhausted and distressed from exposure to the extreme cold. A firefighter hoisted him onto his back and began the climb, reassuring him that help was coming.

Halfway up the hill, the man started seizing from hypothermia complications. The team rushed him to their transport bus, began warming measures, and called for an ambulance.

Despite several more seizure episodes, the firefighter and emergency personnel stabilized him. He was later transported to a hospital for advanced medical care and is expected to recover.

After addressing the emergency, the HOPE team continued their work. They safely transported everyone else from the encampment to shelters, ensuring no one was left in the cold.

Sunny's Take

HOPE stands for Home, Outreach, Prevention, and Education. During this winter storm alone, the team made over 300 contacts with Fort Worth's homeless residents. They distributed blankets, gloves, and hand warmers to those who needed them most.

They helped 150 people reach local shelters. They even reunited 60 others with family or friends who could provide a safe place to stay.

The Fort Worth Fire Department's message rings clear: every resident is a priority, and during extreme weather, we help one another no matter what.

One firefighter's willingness to literally carry a stranger to safety shows what that commitment really means.