All Makai Williams wanted for his 10th birthday was to see a fire truck. To his family, this was no surprise. After all, his love of fire service began at a very early age. "Ever since he was one, he always loved fire trucks," said Makai's mother, Katisha Williams.
To make her son's wish come true, Williams reached out to Escambia County Fire Rescue to arrange a visit. "I was contacted by Ms. Williams, who asked me if we conduct fire station tours," said Fire and Life Safety Specialist Ray Melton. "She stated that her son is having his 10th birthday and absolutely loves the fire department and has most of his life. Unfortunately, I had to explain that we do not currently conduct station visits."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Escambia County Fire Rescue suspended station visits to children and their families. "It's been tough for the past two years now," said Escambia County Fire Rescue Chief Jason Catrambone. "Two years without being in schools, we're missing that contact. We're used to being in the schools, seeing those younger kids, and giving them that first impression of fire service and teaching them fire safety."
Fortunately, Melton had an idea. "I asked Ms. Williams if I could bring the fire truck to him," said Melton. For Katisha Williams, this was the perfect surprise for her son.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, one day before Makai's 10th birthday, he received an unexpected early birthday surprise at his home. In his front yard was an Escambia County Fire Rescue truck. "As I pulled up to his home, Makai came out of the house walking slowly and smiling from ear to ear," said Melton. "He could not believe the fire truck was there for him!"
"I was really amazed," said the younger Williams.
Along with a tour of the fire truck, Makai was given stickers, bracelets, a helmet, and fire safety information. However, these would not be only items Makai would receive during Fire and Life Safety Specialist Melton's visit. He would receive something very important from his mother: a job assignment.
"Every month, I have to check the smoke alarms to see if they work incase a fire comes," said Makai.
Due to the presence of Hurricane Ida cancelling Escambia County schools on Monday, Makai had to wait until Tuesday to tell his classmates about his birthday surprise. "My friends were like, 'Whoa!'," said Makai when discussing his friends' reactions.
Young Makai's excitement was shared among members of Escambia County Fire Rescue. "To give that kid (Williams) that impression of fire service, you know, you might have a future firefighter sitting right there," said Chief Catrambone.
"For me, it's like planting a seed and watching it grow," said Melton. "When a child has such a strong desire to grow up and become a fireman or any profession, we need to embrace that and encourage that."
On Tuesday, Katisha Williams took a moment to express her gratitude to Escambia County Fire Rescue for making her son's birthday so special. "I would like to say thank you so much for everything that you all do," said Katisha Williams. "I know your job is not easy, but we really appreciate it. The Escambia County Fire Rescue made my son want to become something because you all set a good example for him."
When asked what he wanted to become, Makai Williams' response was simple, "a firefighter."
Escambia County Fire and Life Safety Specialist Ray Melton helps make 10-year-old Makai Williams' birthday wish come true with a surprise visit from an ECFR fire truck.
