Rachel Schoonover was washing dishes at her home in New York when a wine glass shattered and cut an artery in her wrist. “Instantly, blood was everywhere, spraying all corners of my kitchen. I wrapped it up in a towel, called 911, called my mom, and continued to bleed everywhere.”
Responders from the Elmira Fire Department were the first to arrive on the scene. They tied a tourniquet around Rachel’s arm and helped her son into his pajamas as they waited for an ambulance. Since Rachel’s husband was still at work and her mother had not yet arrived, there was no one to stay behind and watch her son. Some of the firemen immediately volunteered to stay behind and hold down the fort until someone else arrived.
After getting some stitches and a tetanus shot, Rachel was discharged. “When we got back to my house, I was dreading the bloody mess that was waiting for me in every room. Surprisingly, though, the mess was nearly nonexistent. These men wiped down my fridge, coffee maker, speakers, cupboards, bathtub, floors, and even individual K-cups that had been hit. While everyone last night went above and beyond to help me, I am especially grateful for these guys.”
(Photo: Getty)