A phone rang at 3:00am On Nov. 13th, 1953, to one fire station in Copenhagen. Eric received the call and a lady on the other line screamed, “Help! Save me!” With that cry for help, the lady must have fainted.
There was no opportunity to ask for the address but Eric’s quick thinking suggest a possible method to the captain. The captain was reluctant because it might scare the entire city. However Eric convinced the captain that the people would understand that it was the only method they have to save that one person’s life.
The captain approved and immediately ordered to send out all 20 fire trucks while running their sirens. Soon after Eric was able to hear siren over the phone that was left on by the person who was in life and death situation. While sirens were going off, the captain ordered each fire truck to turn off it’s siren in the order #1, #2, #3 and etc. When the fire truck #12 was ordered to turn off it’s siren, Eric couldn’t hear the siren over the phone and thus, he knew the lady lived near by fire truck #12’s location.
However, how can they find which house? The captain ordered the #12 truck to make a loud announcement over it’s microphone. “People of Copenhagen, please help us find a lady who is in need of our help desperately. Would you, please, turn OFF your light right now!” Soon after Eric was able to hear this over the phone. Everyone started to turn off their light and in midst of darkness, the #12 truck was able to see a house with a light on and it was the lady’s house.
Eric was able to hear the pounding on the door. Again there was breaking down the door sound. Then soon heard, “The lady is unconscious but she is alive.” It was the quick thinking of Eric and his heart to save saved her. I am sure no one in Copenhagen made a complaint after hearing of this news.
With compassion, tenacity, and quick thinking, we maybe able to help those who are in need. Who knows our little inconvenience, little sacrifice and little work can bring hope to that ONE person in Christ.
Have a wonderful week!