Firefighter takes a break from fires to get married

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Firefighter takes a break from fires to get married

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A firefighter's wedding was postponed due to the massive fire in Washington. Not wanting to wait any longer, he tied the knot in between shifts. VPC

John Langeler, KING-TV, Seattle 12:51 p.m. EDT August 26, 2015

A firefighter's wedding was postponed due to the massive fire in Washington. Not wanting to wait any longer, he tied the knot in between shifts.(Photo: KING)

SHELTON, Wash. -- It was already going to be a big week for Brandon Furrer. The Mason County volunteer and Department of Natural Resources firefighter was planning to get married on Saturday. Then, things got complicated.

"We've been working non-stop for three weeks," said Furrer. "I just want to do it tonight. That way, we're married before I head out."

Furrer is expecting to be sent to the wildfires in Central Washington later this week. So, he and his fiancee decided to move their wedding to Tuesday at Fire District 4 headquarters.

"I want to make sure that everything's all set and done before I leave," he added.

His fellow Mason County firefighters wanted to do the same. Tuesday morning, the department put out the call on social media that Furrer and Heather Patenode were to be wed at the fire hall, and would anyone like to help.

"We decided that wasn't good enough and we wanted to make a party out of it," said office manager Lisa Brengan.

Making the day special became particularly important for staff in the aftermath of the death of three firefighters near Twisp last week working on the Okanogan Complex.

"(Brandon) just wants to be prepared for his wife and child if they go over there and something were to happen," said Brengan.

Food and flowers were donated. The entire hall was decorated in Seahawks and Washington State Cougar colors, as the bride and groom wished.

By evening, the hall was full of friends, family and other firefighters. With nine-month-old child Sylvia in attendance, Furrer and Patenode were married.

As they exchanged rings and cut their cakes, Furrer commented, "We were expecting something small."

For more heartwarming stories like this, LIKE Humankind's Facebook page.

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