People in the Pasadena area are coming together to help a young firefighter who is recovering in the intensive care unit (ICU) after an accident on the job that his family says left him paralyzed from the waist down.
The Pasadena Fire Department says that on Tuesday, May 20, Armen Hagopian, a firefighter paramedic who recently helped fight the deadly Eaton Fire, was seriously hurt in a motorbike accident.
“For years, Armen has run into burning buildings and helped people in emergencies to keep them alive,” a member of his crew told. “Now, hours after getting seriously hurt, he’s on the other end of the emergency call.”
Hagopian is said to have limited feeling and mobility since the terrible event, and there aren’t many signs that his health will get better.
Hagopian has worked for the city for more than six years and is known as a “dedicated hero” in his neighborhood.
His most recent job was at Firehouse 36, where, as his team said in an Instagram post, “he’s known for his dedication, skill, and commitment to the citizens he serves and those alike.”
A union member started a GoFundMe to get money for the much-loved fireman so that he could get the medical care, rehabilitation, and home changes he needs.
A member of Hagopian’s team said, “This story is about more than a firefighter’s accident. It’s about strength, resilience, and the hope that we can come together when one of our own needs us the most.”
The author of the GoFundMe page says that Hagopian has spent his whole career protecting others, “risking his life to save the lives and homes of many in our community.”
The caption says, “Now it’s our turn to gather around him and help him in any way we can.”
