The moment I realized I was working with an extraordinary team of nurses was during the week of the wildfire that came dangerously close to our beloved town. We anxiously awaited the evacuation notice, doing our best to stay composed for the sake of our patients and residents. As alerts about the approaching fire rang out simultaneously from phones across the acute unit, every patient room blared with news of the flames spreading toward Big Bear.

I sat with one of our elderly patients, trying to calm his nerves, when I saw tears well up in his eyes. He began calling friend after friend, neighbor after neighbor, desperate for someone to help his wife, who was stuck at home, evacuate. His anxiety was palpable as he tearfully shared memories of the home they’d lived in for 30 years—memories he feared would be lost in the chaos. In his desperation, I learned that those he relied on in the community had already fled, leaving him stranded in Bear Valley, separated from his wife and unsure of what to do next.

When the official evacuation orders came, the chaos that followed was overwhelming. Patients and residents had to be discharged or transferred, and families scrambled to reach their loved ones. The sky took on an eerie orange hue, with ash falling like snow. As our incredible case management team worked tirelessly to arrange transportation for this patient, he looked at me, desperate and confused about his next steps. He hadn’t driven his car, hadn’t packed any belongings, and with fuel running low in the area as others evacuated, he was at a loss.

Despite the exhaustion of staff members working to assist residents and their own families, I knew there was hope. Grant had volunteered to stay and help, and I was able to reach out to him. Grant had been a nurse at Bear Valley Community Health for several years. He was the kind of nurse everyone wanted on their team—compassionate, reliable, and hardworking. I knew I could count on him, especially as one of the few superhero staff members who had chosen to stay behind at the hospital while the fire closed in on the dam.

Within moments of my call, he was on the phone, ready to help. I explained the situation, informing him that case management had arranged transportation for the patient, but after that, we were uncertain of how things would unfold. Grant immediately sprang into action, instructing me to give the patient his personal cell number and to notify him once he was discharged.

When the patient heard the good news, it was as though he had been given new life. He practically jumped out of bed, eager to get dressed and ready to go. He was thrilled to learn that Grant would be at his home to help pack his belongings and ensure he and his wife could leave the mountain safely. Tearfully grateful, he didn’t even wait for a wheelchair. Grabbing his walker, he made his way out to the waiting transportation.

I notified Grant, and over the next 2.5 hours (with the help of his recruit), Grant assisted the patient in packing his sentimental items, rounding up pets, loading the car, and sending him and his wife down the hill to safety.

Having never lived in an area at risk for fires or experienced an evacuation like this, especially at my place of employment, I now know without a doubt that Grant would be the nurse I’d want by my side if I were ever in this patient’s shoes.

I’ve seen this patient since the evacuation, and every time he says the same thing: “Tell Grant thank you, and I said hello.”

So, thank you, Grant. Your efforts deserve recognition, and your willingness to serve your community will forever be admired.