Autistic teen made honorary firefighter for a day

"Ever since 9/11; I know even though I was only five when 9/11 happened, as soon as I heard what happened that day, I wanted to be a firefighter," Jacob Huffman said. 

Jacob Huffman, 19, has autism and on Wednesday, he received the chance to live out his dream thanks to someone he's known since the second grade.

Brandon Campbell has been best friends with Jacob and set the whole day up, with help from everyone at Union Road Volunteer Fire Department.

"Best friend someone can have. It is the best way to describe it. He is always there if you call him for anything," Brandon said. "Means a lot; you are giving someone the opportunity to do something that they might not be able to do and I mean that in itself is enough."

The guys gave him a full tour, making sure Jacob took full advantage of his day at the station.

"We took him to breakfast, we let him check off the truck, we took him through a smoke house, he got to flow a little water, we took him to fill up a truck and show him how a hydrant works."

It is certainly a day that he won't soon forget.

"It means everything to me.  This is my dream, a dream come true," Jacob said. "I have always wanted to be a firefighter.  It is amazing today; amazing doesn't even describe today. I don't even know a word to describe it."

Before leaving for the day, Jacob left the firefighters with words of thanks.

"Thank you for your service. You do an amazing job. I honor your service; all of them that are still active, retired, or gone on before us either in the line of duty or by other means."