Early Monday morning, just before 7 a.m., Solid Waste Equipment Operator Blaine Freeman, a recycling truck driver, assisted neighbors and the Phoenix Fire Department to keep a family safe from a house fire in north Phoenix.
As Freeman was working his recycling route, he noticed smoke a few blocks away and decided to head that direction to make sure everything was okay. Sure enough, a home was on fire. As described by one resident online, Freeman, alongside other residents, proceeded to knock on doors without hesitation to make sure family members were out of their home, while reporting the fire to 911.
Thankfully the fire was reported in time for Phoenix Fire crews to control the fire and prevent spread to the rest of the house. Nobody was injured during the incident.
Freeman, a solid waste equipment operator with the Phoenix Public Works Department, has more than 12 years of experience as a collection truck driver. He has been the recycling driver for the area near Jomax and the I-17 and for six years now and has gotten familiar with the characteristics of the neighborhood. He views his job as more than just collecting waste and/or recyclable materials, but also as a community watchdog.
As the fire ensued, Freeman explained, “Everybody came together like a family. The neighbors, myself and the fire department. I am extremely proud to be a city of Phoenix employee."
During these uncertain times, many Public Works employees are at still work continuing to look out for the health, safety and sanitation of Phoenix. This is just one example of city departments coming together to provide exceptional services to the residents of Phoenix during these uncertain times.
