'Incredible Passion To Help Others': 18-Year-Old Firefighter Remembered For Dedicated Service

He was just 18, but he dedicated his life to service. A young Blanchard firefighter passed away from a weekend accident.

Click here to watch News 9 live.

Jake Reid died on Sunday after a motorcycle wreck, said the Blanchard Fire Department. He is survived by mom Amy, dad Travis, sister Haley, brother Jax, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

"We're pretty broke up over this. We all feel like there's a hole in our heart right now. We're terribly devastated over this situation," said Sam McClintock, who helped train Reid at the Blanchard Fire Department.

Reid graduated from Blanchard High School in May. But even before getting his diploma, Reid had already joined the Blanchard Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. He was following the footsteps of his father, who was a volunteer firefighter at the department as well. The two worked alongside each other.

"His dad really just instilled in him the importance of being a part of something bigger than yourself," said his aunt, Susie Melnick. "When he was younger, he wanted to be a doctor. He just always had this incredible passion to help others."

"I got to watch Jake grow from a citizen to a competent firefighter," added McClintock. "Jake was always willing to learn. He always gave his best effort in every task that was assigned to him or every skill that came his way."

Reid's family is now finding solace in sharing fond memories.

"He had this ability to love people before he even met them. He really just had such a heart to protect his community," said Melnick. 

Reid's dedication to service extended beyond the Blanchard Fire Department. After graduating from Blanchard High School, he took a job as a dispatcher at the Blanchard Police Department while still serving as a volunteer firefighter, the Fire Department said. The 18-year-old hoped to eventually become a full-time firefighter.

The Fire Department will honor Reid's service by escorting him from Oklahoma City to his home in Blanchard on Wednesday. Any police, fire or EMS agencies are welcome to join.

"Because he's our brother and we take care of our own," said McClintock.

Reid's funeral will take place on Thursday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Blanchard. To help the family with funeral expenses and allow them to take time off work, the community can donate to this GoFundMe page.