By C1 Staff
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — A fire chief who was seriously injured in a Jan. 19 crash credited inmates for saving his life.
Fire Chief Matthew Mann was driving a prison van when another driver crashed into him head on, according to the Times Free Press. Mann received serious injuries and an inmate riding as a passenger received minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was also seriously injured.
Inmates who were trained by Mann at the Walker State Prison Fire Department were following behind the van and put their training in action.
“We didn’t have time to think about it,” inmate Roy Abrams told WRCB. “Our training kicked in. Guys started pulling tools off and immediately went to extraction process.”
They pulled Mann from the vehicle before assistance could arrive and said they just had to do “what they would normally do” in that situation.
“That is just what we do. Whether it is one of us, a person, an animal. If it requires us to go to work, we are going to work, no matter what,” Abrams said.
Mann was transported to a local hospital where he underwent nine surgeries in 11 days.
A month later, the inmates joined Mann and his wife Jessica at their wedding ceremony in the hospital. Mann and his wife said the day wouldn’t have been possible without the inmates’ help.
Until Mann can return to work, the inmates said they’re ready to answer any calls, thanks to his training.
WRCB reported that more than 200 inmates serve in the offender firefighter program. They respond to over 3,000 calls a year. Many inmates, like Abrams, said once they’re released, they plan to become firefighters.
Officials said they are waiting for blood sample results on the driver. No charges have been filed.