Michael Hampton has saved a fellow firefighter from falling into an inferno, helped rescue hostages being held at gunpoint — and had his life flash in front of him a few times.
And yet the Perrysburg Township fire captain relishes coming to work every day.
Captain Hampton said first responders are always going run into an emergency — not away from it.
“But I’m wired a little differently,” he said, adding that he prays and thinks of his family before going into a fire or into a special response situation. “I always tell myself I’m going back home. That’s my fight in me.”
For his service, Captain Hampton will receive the Patriot Award from the Transportation Security Administration on Tuesday at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy in Columbus. He was nominated for the award by state Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R., Perrysburg).
“They honor first responders, military folks, anyone in police and fire, anyone that goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Captain Hampton said. “I don’t like personal accolades because I’m a team player, just trying to provide help and make people better.”