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Shared Interest In Firefighting Ignites A Spark Between Bucks County Couple

By Kristina Dougherty

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Whether it was the heat of fighting fires or just plain fate, sparks flew between Bucks County firefighters Jim and Rachel.

It was four years ago the first time they met, and Jim, who was then a volunteer with Levittown Fire Company No. 1, was at his best friend Richard's house.

Jim remembers, "We were sitting there at his house and in walks Rachel."

Rachel had just returned to Pennsylvania after living in Tennessee for several years. She decided to follow her passion and become a volunteer firefighter.

They agree that a shared interest in firefighting, plus a touch of fate, is how their friendship began, but within a year that friendship blossomed into a relationship.

Jim says, "We supported each other. After a bad fire, she knew how to comfort me and calm me down."

And when Rachel graduated from school, Jim was right there supporting her.

He says, "Seeing her doing something that she worked so hard to accomplish is so gratifying. It was awesome to see her succeed."

This past July, Jim and Rachel got married. They are now both firefighters with Tullytown Fire Co. and bus drivers for the Pennsbury School District.

Jim says, "I love working with my wife. There are not too many women in firefighting, so I am very proud."

But they both agree when on the job the husband and wife title goes out the window.

"The firefighters around you are your second family. We all work together."

"You don't have to be rich to be in the fire service, that's for sure," Jim says. "Your riches are saving somebody's life, somebody's property, somebody's pet."

To learn more about volunteer firefighting in Bucks County, visit www.bucksfire.org.

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