CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award.
Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe.
When danger strikes, these men and women are the first to respond.
Now, it is our turn to put them first.
In partnership with Wettermark Keith, News 12 is proud to spotlight these courageous individuals.
This month, the community has nominated Captain Christopher Blazek with the Chattanooga Fire Department at Station 6.
Captain Blazek has spent nearly two decades serving the Chattanooga community, answering calls in some of the most difficult moments of people's lives. His path to becoming a firefighter was not a straight one, but he says every step along the way helped shape the career he has today.
"It's a funny but long story. In my early 20s, I was a little bit lost in trying to find myself," Blazek said.
Blazek says he always knew he wanted to serve others, even if it took some time to figure out exactly how.
"I knew that I always wanted to serve. I always wanted to be in the service industry. So, I started off in ministry at a homeless shelter."
When that chapter of his life came to a close, he explored other opportunities.
"That door closed on me. And so, then I was actually a flight attendant for a little bit, serving, but that door also closed. So all these doors kept closing on me."
It was a simple conversation with a family friend that eventually led him to the fire service.
"We were at a picnic one time, and I had a family friend come up to me and say, 'Have you ever thought about being a firefighter?' And I said, 'Well, no, not really.' He goes, 'I think you'd make a really good one.'"
Nearly 20 years later, Blazek says that moment changed the course of his life.
"And so, 19 years later, here I am. What keeps me up every morning and gets me going is the fact that I'm serving my community."
Whether responding to medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, or structure fires, Blazek says the mission of the job remains the same.
"Whether it be a medical call or a car accident or, God forbid, a house fire, the fact that I'm bringing hope and joy, hopefully to someone who's having a really bad day."
As a captain, his responsibilities now extend beyond the emergency calls themselves.
"Now that I'm a captain, I don't do as much of the physical work as I used to. That's more for the firefighters and the senior firefighters. My role today is to be a mentor to them."
Like many first responders, some calls stay with him long after they are over.
"One of my worst calls was a car accident on I 24 where the interstate goes around Moccasin Bend. The interstates are at two different levels, and a car had come off the top level on top of another car. That’s an image that I wake up at two at night from time to time."
But moments of hope can help balance those difficult memories.
"A couple of years ago, one of my firefighters took a picture of me holding a baby, and that picture went viral. And so I had my 15 minutes of fame and all of that good stuff."
Blazek says it is the small moments of connection that remind him why he chose this career.
"Little things like that are what keep you going."
When he is not on duty, Blazek says his greatest pride is his family.
"I've been happily married for 22 years now. We have four daughters, and they're all very active."
His daughters are growing up quickly, marking new milestones each year.
"Our oldest one will actually graduate from high school this year, and our youngest one will be graduating from elementary school, so no more elementary school."
Above all, he hopes his children will look back one day and understand why the job has meant so much to him.
"I just hope that, as they get older, they can always look back and say that they were proud of their dad and the career that he had."
Blazek says serving the Chattanooga community is something he and his fellow firefighters take seriously every single day.