PHOTOS: Over the past six years, when the volunteer firefighters of Essex Fire Department in Vermont responded to a call, they knew a young girl in their community was thinking of them and waiting for their safe return. They can just look at their newest fire engine if they ever need reminding of her presence and support. The truck is named “Addi’s Engine,” but it was Addi’s long before it was officially put into service in late 2020.
Addi Carroll was born with a mysterious, previously unknown, fatal disease. In 2016, she requested a backyard swimming pool from the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and as a special surprise, the Essex Fire Department showed up to fill the pool from their tanker. That day changed her life. “From the moment she met the members of the Essex Fire Department, she fell in love with the fire service,” Addi’s mom, Tammy Carroll, said.