As a firefighter, you’re never off-duty. You might not be working at the station, but it’s not as easy as just turning off your training and instincts. Fortunately for the rest of us, you might be there when we need you most. On-duty or not. Ready to help and serve people. People like Walter Holston.

In the early morning hours of July 2, 2012, a small fire started on the back deck of a suburban home. Due to the recent lack of rain and overwhelmingly dry air, the flames quickly spread across the deck and licked up the siding of the house, endangering the sleeping family within.