NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

From left, Leah Pritchett, Ronnie Thames Foundation President Pam Bozek, and Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond were part of a special day at Atlanta Fire Rescue Station No. 1 in Downtown Atlanta when Fire Service Plus and FireAde 2000 Personal Fire Suppression System and The Ronnie Thames Foundation recognized the firefighters and Bond’s work in the community.

Leah Pritchett won her first Top Fuel title at February’s NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event near Phoenix and advanced to the semifinals two weeks ago near Houston when she posted her career-best speed of 329 mph, but the driver of Don Schumacher Racing’s new FireAde Top Fuel dragster had one of her most memorable rides Thursday afternoon in Downtown Atlanta before spending the weekend in nearby Commerce to compete at the NHRA Southern Nationals.

Pritchett, a former Atlanta resident who ranks No. 8 in the Mello Yello Top Fuel points, had her visit to Atlanta Fire Rescue Station No. 1 interrupted when a call came for someone in need of assistance. She was in the middle of a television interview when firefighters asked her to join them.

The graduate of Cal State San Bernardino sprinted to join the crew.

When they returned from the run that resulted from a faulty alarm system at a nearby business, she was relieved no one was in peril but overwhelmed at the atmosphere in the firetruck.

“All of these firefighters were so intense while they were putting on the rest of their gear,” she said. “They didn’t know if it would be a call like this or a major fire, car accident, or someone having a heart attack. I expected it to be a great experience just to visit Station No. 1 and talk to all these silent heroes.

“Going on that run let me see just a little bit of how fortunate we are all across our country to have thousands of brave firefighters like this who first think about helping someone else.”

Pritchett was the guest of Fire Service Plus and its FireAde 2000 Personal Fire Suppression System and The Ronnie Thames Foundation to offer thanks for the ongoing heroic actions of firefighters to City Councilman Michael Julian Bond (Post 1 At Large) for his department support and his Save-A-Life program.

The 27-year-old Southern California native, who owns four NHRA Pro event titles and lives outside of Indianapolis, commended the firefighters.

“When I’m signing autographs at our pit area and fans ask for a ‘hero’ card with my picture on it for me to sign, I always feel uncomfortable because as race car drivers, we don’t save lives and we are not heroes,” she told the group of about 25 firefighters. “YOU are the heroes; as racers we might enhance the lives of our fans, but YOU save lives and for that we all are grateful.”

Also participating at the event were representatives of The Ronnie Thames Foundation that Fire Service Plus founder and chief executive Ron Thames created to honor his late son who helped him develop the FireAde product. The Foundation educates the public – primarily children in first through third grades – about the importance of fire prevention and safety, honors silent heroes, and helps burn victims.

“I know The Ronnie Thames Foundation is committed to helping children and their families when their lives are forever changed by fire,” she said. “I personally know the importance of this great foundation and how they greatly improve burn victim’s lives after such a tragic event.”