MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas — The Midland County Northeast Volunteer Fire Department helps Midland County in numerous ways, all on a volunteer basis.
And all month of April, they’ll be helping people sporting these puzzle-pieced helmets.
Northeast will be sporting a new look this April the month of Autism, our BIG family has multiple kiddos who fight this unimaginable fight! These new shields from Taylor's Tins will represent their voice!
"It was like, hey, you know, April's Autism Awareness Month," Chief Jason Duran said. "Why don't we do something to help support or show our respect?"
"All firefighters are prideful," Assistant Chief James Wolf said. "We all have helmets of course. This one is the Autism Awareness puzzle pieces with our number and then you know Northeast and our name. This is a more personalized style that we've started [it] makes our members more unique, gives them a little bit more pride in in what they wear, but then it also allows us to be a voice."
A voice speaking for a cause that hits home for a lot of these heroes.
"We have a member [Ethan Royall] that is on the spectrum, high functioning," Wolf said. "That creates challenges in itself. But at the same time, he's one of our most hard-working, dedicated members that we have. He's one of the best guys that we have in this department. Once he locks in on something, I know it's going to get done. I can go to him and ask him, you know, whatever."
"He's a very big asset," Duran said. "You know, when the time arises, when there's an emergency, he's the first one to the station and he's the first one getting the truck out of the station."
And it doesn't end there.
"And then we have numerous members that have children," Wolf said. "Myself, I have a little boy that's autistic. And then we've got two others that have children that have autism."
For active probationary officer Jayden Wills, having so many people here to support him has made his journey with his 3-year-old son Charlie a little easier.
And despite the challenges, Wills and Wolf wouldn’t have it any other way.
"My little boy is he's my world," Wolf said. "But it has taken everything that I have to learn how to parent a child like this, and it's not easy and I wouldn't be who I am now if it wasn't for him."
And while most people see autism as a disability, Wolf sees it a different way.
"Yet I think it's, I don't think it's a disability," Wolf said. "Honestly I think it's a gift because it allows them to see the world in a different light compared to where most people see it."
Allowing firefighters like Ethan to find his light.
"He's smart," Wolf said. "He has this problem, but they don't look at the fact that he actually really is a smart man."
A smart man wearing a helmet that will hopefully spread some awareness he’s passionate about.
"Some people don't know about Autism Awareness Month or what autism even means," Wills said. "So sometimes that could push other people to be like, 'well, why do they have that?' It'll give them a reason to go look it up and then give them a reason to go support it."
Fighting fires, saving lives and spreading awareness for a cause these volunteers deal with not just this month but every day of their lives.
"But I mean, it's just a once-in-a-lifetime thing and it's great to be around," Wills said. "I mean, I love it. I wouldn't trade that kid for the world."
And that trade would be lopsided, because Charlie’s very existence makes Willis a better firefighter.
"It pushes me to do better," Wills said. "It pushes me to show him that there's obstacles out there that can be overcome."
And thus, making Midland County a whole lot safer and a whole lot more aware of Autism Awareness Month.