Others pitch in so Hamilton firefighters can attend Patrick Wolterman's funeral

Описание: HAMILTON, Ohio (Joe Webb) - A crowd gathered outside Hamilton Fire Department's Station 25 Thursday morning, Dec. 31, hours before Patrick Wolterman's funeral procession was scheduled to pass by.

But inside Station 25, the work went on, with the help of volunteers from Cincinnati and Liberty Township. Five firefighter/EMT's from Cincinnati's Engine 5 and two firefighters from Liberty Township staffed the fire house so Hamilton firefighters could attend the funeral. Wolterman had worked out of Station 25 since joining Hamilton earlier this year. He died on a fire run early Monday morning, Dec. 28.

"The support from everybody has been incredible," said Hamilton firefighter Bryan Malone who stayed on the job to drive the quint truck. "It really exemplifies that we are one big family. We're a brotherhood, it's true."

Malone knows the value of pitching in. He volunteered in Cincinnati so firefighters could attend Daryl Gordon's funeral last spring. The Cincinnati volunteers said they were grateful to be able to help. They called it an "unfortunate honor."

"We didn't have to think twice about volunteering and coming up here to do this, " said Cincinnati firefighter Levi Florence. "It's really the least we can do. I wish we could do more."

When the funeral procession approached Station 25, volunteers, Malone and a handful of Hamilton fire retirees stood together and saluted the engine carrying Wolterman's casket.

"It brings reality to life," said Cincinnati fire lieutenant William Feckter. "I kiss every family member before I leave every morning. Whether we had a fight the night before or one of the kids was bad, they still get that kiss every morning."