Tom Young Day

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Tom Young Day

Photo courtesy City of Golden

On July 6th, 2020 Golden Fire Department honored Captain Tom Young for his 30 years of survival. Tom started with the Golden Fire Department in 1982. But on July 6th, 1990, Tom responded to a call to help rescue an injured hang glider who crashed on Lookout Mountain. In his pursuit to rescue the man, he was injured and left permanently paralyzed from the neck down. He was told he would never breathe on his own again and would only survive 15-20 years. Within a month, Tom was breathing on his own and now he is celebrating 30 years of life after near-death. Despite his injury, Tom came back to the GFD just a few years after his accident and has been a member of the GFD, still serving the City of Golden and its residents ever since. Rescue personnel from departments all over the area did a drive-by at his home just outside Golden on July 6th, 2020. Mayor Laura Weinberg read a proclamation declaring it “Tom Young Day” in Golden, and he was surrounded by his family and friends as he was honored. Tom’s story is not one of tragedy, but of the ultimate resilience – something we can all appreciate right now. Congratulations, Tom! We are proud to be your fire family! Tom Yong’s career in the fire service began when he was 16 years old, taking pictures of fire scenes for Golden Fire Department and Fairmount Fire Department. Years later, on July 6th, 1982, Tom was sworn in as a volunteer firefighter with GFD. In 1990 when Tom responded to the accident to help assist the hang glider that crashed and was injured, he fell 15 feet to the ground and fractured his neck. His spinal cord injury would permanently leave him paralyzed from the neck down. He spent 28 days in the hospital in intensive care and was told he may never breath again. Then something amazing happened, over 250 people walked from Golden to St. Anthony’s Hospital to raise money for the expenses and that same day he was taken off the ventilator and was able to breathe again on his own. The love and support were his healing powers. After months of rehab, Tom was able to go home and learned how to be a father, husband, and GFD employee in a wheelchair. His wife Linda spent 15 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week by his side. It was that support system that gave Tom the drive to overcome overwhelming depression that he was experiencing for his first two years. Tom was able to see his children grow up and begin careers related to the one he loves. Just 2 1/2 years after his debilitating injury, Tom was back at work at GFD as a media specialist, and with a new pair of hands. Anna Trzeciak started as Tom’s aide but realized quickly she had to learn the technical parts of his job for which she had no prior experience. Now, 20 years later, the pair are still working as one. Tom is a motivational speaker as well and happily shares his story. Tom and Linda’s son, Matt, followed in dad’s footsteps and was just promoted to Engineer at North Metro Fire Rescue District. Their daughter, Michelle, was recently hired as an emergency communication specialist for JeffCom Dispatch. Tom is also a proud grandfather. Additional information provided by Karlyn Tilley & the Golden Fire Department

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

Photo courtesy City of Golden

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