SILVER CITY, Okla. -- Community members are speaking out after a Silver City firefighter was injured while helping clean-up efforts following Hurricane Matthew.
“You kind wish every 18 year-old kid right now would get involved like that in their community,” said Silver City Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Bradley.
As soon as Zach Collins turned 18, Silver City Fire Chief Jason Bradley said Collins was meant to be a firefighter.
“He got his red card, right out of high school he was bound and determined, that is what he wanted to do,” said Bradley.
Bradley said Collins spent the summer traveling with a wild land crew. Once Hurricane Matthew hit Florida, he told Bradley he would be going down to help.
“He said Chief, I’m going to Florida. And you kinda thought well he’s been up there with all the big fires and God’s protected him up there. He’s good we’ll keep praying for him, he’ll be good down there,” said Bradley.
But his trip ended short. After a large tree fell on top of Collins. Leaving him with a broken rib, torn kidney and a hole in his lung.
“He says he’s in a lot of pain. Which you can only imagine being hit by whatever diameter tree that he got hit with,” said Bradley.
Bradley said Collins is Silver City’s most dedicated volunteer fireman, and a model for young people in his community. Now he’s hoping collins will be back in his fire suit soon.
“This is a volunteer kid that got on with the fire department at 18 years old and he’s out doing what God’s gave him the talent to do. And he’s really good at it,” said Bradley.
The Silver City Volunteer Fire Department is accepting donations for Collins at the fire station
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