Cleburne, TX – Emergency Support Service (ESS), a leading NFPA-compliant Fire/Incident Rehab service, is proud to announce that four of its dedicated members have taken a bold step toward serving their communities by enrolling in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) school.

The decision to pursue EMT training underscores the commitment of these individuals to public service and emergency response. As valued members of ESS, they bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and a passion for helping others to their new endeavor.

The four members embarking on this important journey are Macy Hayes, Jessica Jackson, Chris Lewis and Jonathan Jeffers. Each of them has demonstrated exceptional dedication to their roles within ESS, and their decision to pursue EMT training aligns with our organization’s values of community engagement and safety.

EMTs play a critical role in pre-hospital emergency care, and their skills are vital in providing immediate medical assistance during emergencies. The training these individuals will receive at Brairoaks Fire Department will equip them with the necessary knowledge and expertise to respond effectively to a wide range of medical situations.

“We are immensely proud of our members who have chosen to undertake EMT training. This decision reflects their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Randal Goodwin, Chief at Emergency Support Service.

The organization is committed to supporting its members in their pursuit of professional development opportunities. ESS recognizes the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and is thrilled to see its members take on this challenging yet rewarding path.

As the members progress through their EMT training, ESS will provide updates on their achievements and milestones. The organization looks forward to celebrating their success and the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their roles as trained Emergency Medical Technicians.

After suffering debilitating injuries in the line of duty 35 years ago, former Texas firefighter Randal Goodwin has still found a way to serve.

Goodwin, who suffered injuries throughout his body and lost both of his legs in 1988, is the chief of the volunteer organization Emergency Support Service, which provides firefighters and other first responders with medical services and necessary relief while responding to emergencies.

Goodwin, who started the organization in 1991, told “GMA3” that his group’s methods go beyond just basic hydration.

“We engage them face to face: ‘Hey, how you doing?’ And we listen to them talk. Do they sound [like] slurred speech? Do they sound just worn out? Do they have that faraway stare?” he said.

Bryan Jamison, Fire Chief of the Briaroaks, Texas, Fire Department, told “GMA3” that ESS has been very helpful in rehabilitating his members, and they are always ready to go back to work with clearer minds.

“Randal’s group makes it possible for me as a fire chief to feel comfortable and send the people back in to a situation like that,” Jamison said.

Jamison said he was proud of the work that Goodwin has done, especially after his setback in 1988.

While responding to a grassfire, Goodwin was struck by a downed transmission line.

“It stopped my heart, stopped my breathing, set my clothes on fire, left me blind in my right eye [and] I lost both my legs,” he said.

During his rehabilitation, Goodwin said he didn’t want to end his career in first responding.

“I can get caught up in that woe is me thing, and then you realize that there are people problems worse out there. And that’s what being with ESS I get to be the group of people that are positive,” he said.

Jamison said Goodwin’s story and perseverance have inspired many.

“The awesome example of resilience that he brings. We don’t see examples of that very often in this line of work,” he said.

CLEBURNE, Texas — At every major fire in Johnson County, you’ll find Randal Goodwin. His truck is always one of the most crucial.

In punishing heat and worsening drought, wildfires sparking nearly daily, and Goodwin is the chief of the Emergency Support Service keeping firefighters going through long days.

“Firefighters, volunteers and paid, they’ll run themselves to death,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin started out, though, as a firefighter himself. In 1988, he was rescuing two people from a fire with downed lines when he was severely-injured.

“I’m running parallel to the wire,” Goodwin told WFAA. “It arcs out and jumps 20 feet and strikes me in the right eye.”

Goodwin lost both legs, his heart stopped three times, he had burns on 87% of his body and he was blinded in one eye.

“Spent the first few weeks, ‘he’s gonna live, oh he’s gonna die. He’s gonna live, he’s gonna die’,” Goodwin said. “In one moment, your dream evaporates. For about a year or so, I was a pretty sour individual,” he said.

Goodwin did more than a year of rehab working with Parkland Health’s top-rate burn unit. But he never lost his desire to serve.

“I was like, ‘I have no feet and I’m blind’, and then I realized that there’s somebody worse off than me,” Goodwin said. “Once you realize that, and it puts you in proper perspective in life.”

In 1991, Goodwin started Emergency Support Services, sending and receiving letters about what services and resources firefighters needed most.

With a crew of several other volunteers, they go to every major fire in the county providing needed hydration, snacks, hand washing, towels and even cooling vests. They have also started mental health services.

Recently, he helped train Bosque County on how to create a similar program.

“Heroes need heroes, right? And a guy like Randal is a hero’s hero,” Jamie Moore, Johnson County’s Emergency Management Director said.

Moore said that for firefighters in the heat, the services aren’t just helpful, they’re critical.

“It’s amazing and remarkable that we have people that are willing to volunteer to do that type of work,” Moore said. “He’s a guy that shows up not just with water and Gatorade and things to help the firefighters rehab. He shows up with a heart of gold.”

To stay in service, they get some county help, but they remain always in need of volunteers and donations.

“No one should die because there wasn’t a drink of water. No one should die because they didn’t have a spot to cool off,” Goodwin said. “We say, ‘You fuel your firetrucks. You need to fuel your firefighters’.”

A tragic injury that ended a dream has also fueled a new purpose and passion.

“It’s either ‘Great, I’m alive’ or ‘Great! I’m alive,” Goodwin said. “That’s how I live my life.”