This story is a part of an ongoing series titled, “12 Days of Giving,” where we will highlight just a few of the many IAFF members supporting their communities this holiday season.
Answering the call is just part of the job for South Jordan, UT Local 3851 Fire Captain Austin Rekoutis.
“We’re always willing to help,” said Rekoutis.
On Nov. 14, one friendly gesture unexpectedly threw Rekoutis and his Local 3851 colleagues into the national spotlight.
“We responded to a call, found an injured person, provided care, loaded her into the ambulance and took her to the hospital,” he said.
However, it was the events that transpired afterward that captured the community’s heart.
“She was hanging Christmas lights when the fall occurred, so after rendering aid, we decided to finish the last bit of lights. With just a few remaining, we threw up the ladder and completed the decorations,” he recounted.
This heartwarming scene, captured in a photograph, was posted on social media, gaining the support of the South Jordan neighborhood and local reporters.
“The initial photo was taken inside someone’s house and posted on social media. After that, it started gaining attention, reporters were calling, and I thought it was a joke when the chief said the news is on their way to interview you,” Rekoutis shared.
Rekoutis says such incidents are a daily occurrence because, in the end, it is what being a fire fighter is all about.
“All of us get into the fire service to help people, and I think it goes a little further than that, as far as doing a little extra. Our administration is super active, emphasizing doing good and doing the right things. It was the right thing to do, and we were following our department’s mantra,” he said.
While Rekoutis reports the woman is expected to be OK, he appreciates the positive exposure for the fire service.
“There is so much that we do, and the public does not know about it. It’s these little things, all the charity events. We are not the only ones doing good things; there are departments all over the country or in the state doing them. We just happened to be on camera doing this,” he said.
“Whether it’s picking someone up when they’ve fallen or hanging Christmas lights or getting ducks out of a storm drain, we’re here to help,” he said.
