‘What do you picture when you hear of a cat rescue?’ the Orange County Fire Authority asked on social media.
Chances are, you might picture a firefighter calmly carrying a distressed cat down from a utility pole or tree. Or maybe you think of the many times firefighters help cats stuck inside the motor of a car or in a drain pipe. A cat’s curiosity can indeed put them in all kinds of danger outdoors. And firefighters, are often the ones to bring them to safety.
But rarely have we ever seen a firefighter rescue as dramatic and harrowing as in the video shared by the California firefighters! (see below)
A Most Dramatic Firefighter Cat Rescue
One evening in January, a vehicle collided with an RV vehicle, sending it rolling at the intersection of a road with a busy freeway. A call went out, and Engine 80 sped to the intersection, sirens blaring.
It was around 7 pm and dark outside as they arrived. Onboard, Firefighter Chad Auclair couldn’t have known what he was about to find. According to Council Member George Brietigam, Auclair had only recently trained in search and rescue skills, but he was about to put what he’d learned to the test! Literally trial by fire.
Firefighter Auclair jumped from the engine and made his way into the rolled-over RV, risking danger. Inside, he was no doubt very surprised to find a very scared calico cat. The cat’s reflexes and survival instincts were still on high alert as he crawled through the vehicle’s wreckage. Somehow, he managed to catch the cat, which is no small feat in itself! Especially in a full uniform in the unbalanced shell of a vehicle which might have caught fire at any time.
As you can see, this cat wasn’t making it easy and was ready to make a break for it. If the cat ran into the street, the story might have easily ended tragically. But Auclair held tight, kept his balance, and brought the kitty to safety! A heroic job well done!
Video via Facebook/Orange County Fire Authority
A Proud Moment for Firefighter Auclair and the Community
After exiting the RV, Firefighter Auclair posed briefly with the secure cat in his arms. After a dramatic and scary effort, there was a proud and triumphant moment.
Firefighter Auclair proudly holds the rescued kitty. Photo shared by Council Member Brietigam on Facebook.
And the best part is nobody was injured!
“Fortunately, no one was injured but one cat was ‘rescued’ by Firefighter Auclair,” OCFA shared.
We think that’s a heroic rescue to be incredibly proud of, and the family was no doubt relieved beyond words to be reunited with the kitty afterward. As we see time and time again, in times of crisis, people find out just how important those loving bonds with our pets truly are. And words aren’t enough to thank the heroes who risk it all to reunite them with us.
Video by CBS Chicago:
