People in Petersburg, Virginia, and all across the world are dubbing Romir Parker, who is 12 years old, a true hero. Romir, a seventh grader with no formal training, acted on instinct and courage when his family’s house caught fire this summer, without having time to think. He was brave, so his grandma and two younger siblings lived.
In early June, on a normal afternoon, the fire started. Romir was probably in his room, looking at his phone or doing something else that kids his age do when school is out and the weather is perfect. Then he heard it: a weird sound emanating from below. At first, he wasn’t afraid. But the noise didn’t sound right. He was curious, so he left his room to learn more. He saw the smoke at that point. It was dark, heavy, and difficult to breathe. The smoke quickly filled the corridor and surged down the stairs.
Romir didn’t think twice at that time. Many adults would have gone crazy. Many kids would have stayed still. Romir’s first thought, though, was for his family. He could hear his grandma downstairs and his younger siblings somewhere in the home. He didn’t go to the door. Instead, he began to shout out their names and look for them through the smoke, which was getting thicker. It was growing harder and harder to acquire air.
He told his brothers and sisters to stay low and move quickly, which they obeyed. But when he realized that his grandmother wasn’t there, he turned around and went back to the smoke without thinking. Romir found her in the dark, hiding her face and coughing. She was scared, bewildered, and looking for a way out. He took her hand and led her out of the blazing house to safety, one step at a time.
A few minutes later, the Petersburg Fire Department showed up and quickly put out the fire. Firefighters who got there later said that the fire was growing quickly and that if Romir hadn’t moved when he did, the damage could have been terrible. Firefighters say that on average, a house fire can move from being easy to put out to lethal in three to four minutes. This is especially true for older buildings, where flames can move through walls and ceilings faster than people think. Romir’s quick action made a major difference.
As soon as the fire was out and everyone was safe, people instantly heard of Romir’s bravery. The fire chief, city politicians, local news stations, and even national news organizations all heard about it. Wayne Hoover, the fire chief of Petersburg, went to see the family and made sure to tell everyone how terrific Romir was.
“Even if we had the fastest response time, we might not have been able to help,” Chief Hoover stated. Romir accomplished something that most people would be too afraid to do. He kept his cool. He did things on purpose. He put other people’s safety before his own.
Romir received an official proclamation honoring his valor during a ceremony at City Hall. In front of his family, municipal officials, firefighters, and proud community members, he was also made an honorary firefighter, which is a rare and important award. He got a firefighter’s helmet, a badge, and a certificate. He was also advised that when he turned 18, he may join the Petersburg Fire Department.
“You already have the heart of a firefighter,” Chief Hoover informed him. “We’d love for you to be with us when the time comes.”
Romir, who was usually shy and modest, acknowledged the honor in silence. He said he would rather not be a hero. It was about finishing things. He told reporters, “I just knew my grandma was still in there.” “I wasn’t going to leave her behind.”
The fire did a lot of damage to the family’s house, and now they are working with the Red Cross and other groups to rebuild it and get back on their feet. But the folks around them are really hopeful. People in the area have come together to help by giving money, clothes, food, and even a place to stay for a short period. Romir has been praised for his courage and for showing the community what true love and bravery for family are.
Teachers at his school say he has always been a respectable and hardworking student, but they didn’t expect him to get such a strange mark. His principal described him as a student who sets a positive example, even when no one else is around.
Because of Romir’s story, all of Petersburg’s schools are now educating kids on how to be safe around fire. Firefighters in the neighborhood are utilizing what he accomplished to teach other kids how to act in an emergency. People are praising his calm decision-making, sense of duty, and selfless bravery as both a rare act of heroism and proof that a young person can do outstanding things when they don’t let fear get the best of them.
Romir is slowly getting used to being an Honorary Firefighter as the city continues to commemorate what he did. To his family and everyone else who heard about his accomplishments that day, Romir will always be more than just an Honorary Firefighter. He is a hero for his actions and for who he chose to be when it mattered.