Captain Paul Thompson III has been serving on the Marion Fire Department for nearly 30 years. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Fire Officer I, Instructor I, II, & III, an Arson Investigator, and a Hazmat Technician. He has completed ongoing training through the National Fire Academy, and the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
“He holds high regard for the Marion Fire Department and has high standards for professional firefighters in general. ‘PT3’ takes pride in giving back to both the department and the community,” said Chief Geoff Williams.
This past August, Thompson III initiated a special one-day event here in Marion with an organization called Pink Heals which travels around the United States uplifting individuals battling cancer.
“He took it upon himself, with the assistance of Eng. Anthony Monday and Pvt. Rollen Mason, to organize the ‘Pink Heals Tour’ in Marion,” said Williams. They contacted different organizations for names of survivors and patients, then contacted the relatives of those individuals whom they planned to surprise, and put together gift bags of useful items for them.
The tour took place during a rainy Saturday on August 25th, 2018, when they caravanned with the popular pink fire truck and pink support vehicles to visit nine local cancer patients at their respective locations. They let them sign the truck and took group photos among other fun things.
“I thought it was a very humbling experience. Each patient really appreciated our visit. It’s something we look forward to doing again next year and I’m sure it will grow with more participation,” Williams said confidently.
Williams added he really appreciates PT3’s drive to give back to the community in this way.
About 20 firefighters participated in the event that day along with some police officers.
To find photos and videos from the August 25th “Pink Heals Tour” in Marion, visit MFD’s Facebook Page, @MarionINFireDept.