Young Firefighter's Dedication During Coronavirus: Virginia Hero

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Ellen Campbell of Stafford who nominated Zack Friberg. Zack graduated from Stafford Senior High School in 2018 and earned his EMT certification at the age of 18.

Zack began volunteering with the fire department at the age of 16 and completed Stafford fire academy at the age of 17 in 2017. Zack has been employed with Louisa County since January 2019 as a professional firefighter.

Campbell, mother of Zack's girlfriend Rachael Campbell, provided this quote as an apt description of the work of Zack and his fellow firefighters:

“I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work which the fireman has to do believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives. Under the impulse of such thoughts, the nobility of the occupation thrills us and stimulates us to deeds of daring, even of supreme sacrifice.” – Edward Crocker, celebrated chief of the Fire Department of New York, 1899-1911

Name of the nominee:
Zack Friberg

Where the nominee lives:
Stafford County

Name of the person who nominated the hero:
Ellen Campbell

Is the nominee considered an "essential worker"?
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?
Firefighter in Louisa County

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Zack, 20, has accomplished so much since graduation from Stafford Senior High School. Most recently, he has worked as a paid firefighter in the time of COVID-19. He works whether its a shift change with a fellow firefighter, holiday, blizzard, rain, or shine and now through the darkest of all times with no unknown future of what the next day will be.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?
Zack's girlfried Rachael Campbell is his biggest supporter and his rock when he comes home from each shift. Zack loves Buster his cocker spaniel.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.