From the very first year it’s been hugs instead of handshakes for a Cobourg firefighter and a local resident who never forgot his heroic actions.
The bond between the two started in 2007 after a deadly fire in Cobourg.
Chris Post was a firefighter who tried desperately to rescue a person trapped on the second floor of an apartment building at the corner of University Avenue West and Ontario Street.
The early morning blaze was reported at 4:30 a.m.
Four out of five individuals made it out of the building, but one man in his 30’s died as a result of the fire.
Post was a firefighter who suffered burns to his face trying valiantly to rescue the person.
Sara Stacey was eight-years-old at the time and heard about the injured firefighter.
Since then, Stacey sends a card to Post every year at Christmas.
At the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northumberland Charity Hockey Game at the Cobourg Community Centre on Saturday, March 23, 2024 they once again caught up with each other.
Today’s Northumberland got the chance to speak with both individuals.
“When I was little I saw in the news and I wanted to write a letter to the firefighter who got hurt,” said Stacey.
It was about giving back said Stacey – to let firefighters know they are appreciated.
Post said not being able to rescue the person is something he’ll never forget, but what Stacey has done means so much.
“I think it’s truly amazing.”
“Sara and her family every year, they show up at Christmas time with cookies for us and a nice card.”
“I’m thankful. They appreciate what we do and I appreciate them just as much.”
At times emergency services keep the good times and tragic ones inside, but Post said bringing up what Sara and her family has done over the years brings him goose bumps speaking about it years later.
Sara, now 26-years-old and her family including her mother Pauline met Chris when he returned to work after his injuries many years ago.
It was a tragic fire.
One that he and other emergency services will never forget.
But the kind gesture showed by Sara and her family is something that Post says keeps him going.
“We’ve developed a life long friendship. To have people in our community offer their heartfelt thanks for what we do really meant a lot to me.”
“When we see each other it’s not handshakes it’s hugs.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
