A former volunteer firefighter is continuing his service despite having been seriously injured years ago in the line of duty.
Randal Goodwin has taken up a new method of service, supporting fire departments throughout Johnson County.
Goodwin was rescuing two people from downed power lines in 1988 when one of the severed lines jumped 20 feet, striking him in the eye. Goodwin was left seriously injured after the event. He sustained burns to 87% of his body, lost both of his legs, and was left blind in one eye, according to WFAA.
The former firefighter spent over a year with Parkland Health’s top-rated burn unit in rehab. Despite his injuries and wavering between life and death in the first weeks after being injured, Goodwin still wished to continue providing service to the community, gaining a new perspective on his life.
“I was like, ‘I have no feet and I’m blind’, and then I realized that there’s somebody worse off than me,” said Goodwin, according to WFAA. “Once you realize that, and it puts you in proper perspective in life.”
He has since found a new way to serve by providing support to his fellow firefighters.
Goodwin founded the Emergency Support Service in 1991, to provide support services such as rest and refreshment stations to first responders. The organization pledges to do what it can to ensure that first responders can return to their loved ones.
Volunteers from the organization provide hydration, snacks, hand washing, towels, and cooling vests at every major fire in the area, per WFAA.
“No one should die because there wasn’t a drink of water. No one should die because they didn’t have a spot to cool off,” said Goodwin, according to WFAA. “We say, ‘You fuel your firetrucks. You need to fuel your firefighters.’”
“When we provide this service it consists of setting up a mobile unit where firefighters can come by to rehydrate with fluids (water, sports drinks or coffee) to prevent dehydration, quick snack foods for energy, and medical evaluations if needed,” the organization says on its website. “In 2002, we started providing another service as well, refilling breathing apparatus on the scene with our new four-bottle cascade system.”
Goodwin recently began aiding Bosque County in creating a similar program for its firefighters.
Jamie Moore, director of Johnson County’s Office of Emergency Management, described Goodwin as a “hero’s hero.”
“It’s amazing and remarkable that we have people that are willing to volunteer to do that type of work,” said Moore, according to WFAA. “He’s a guy that shows up not just with water and Gatorade and things to help the firefighters rehab. He shows up with a heart of gold.”
This organization is currently seeking volunteers as well as donations to continue its mission of service.
