Grand Rapids Firefighters Help Sick Clerk Run Store

A few weeks ago, Duncan Elliot, a clerk at a Grand Rapids convenience store, fell ill on the job. First, he called his boss to see if anyone could cover his shift, and then he called 911. Within minutes the Alto-Browne Township Fire Department responded to the scene, got Elliot on a stretcher, and were on their way to the hospital. The only problem was Elliot was the only clerk on duty, and the employee called to cover his shift had yet to arrive. Seeing another opportunity to help citizens in need, Capt. Chris Wieland jumped behind the counter and started ringing up customer's purchases. “I don’t think there’s any other department that wouldn’t do what we did,” Alto-Bowne Township Fire Department Deputy Chief Andy Vanderziel told a local news source. “Firefighters, the fire industry, we’re here to help. It doesn’t really matter what capacity, or in what role. That’s what we’re here for.”

Elliott, who has since recovered, had no idea the firefighters stepped in until he saw the surveillance footage. “They were really cool," he said. "They didn’t need to do that."