SANFORD, Fla.-- Tom “Bull” Hill has walked thousands of miles to raise awareness to the plights firefighters across the nation face. Since then, he’s become a face for change while fighting his own battles along the way.
What You Need To Know
- Tom “Bull” Hill began walking to raise awareness for firefighters who lost their lives
- He's lobbied for a new law that allowed firefighter's families to receive benefits after their presumed cause of their cancer was work-related
- He carries backpacks with tokens from each firefighter he’s walking in remembrance for
- More Everyday Hero headlines; plus you can nominate a Hero
They don’t call him “Bull” for nothing. When you see him load up 460 pounds on the squat rack, you wouldn’t think he’s had two strokes.
“[I] was in rehab for a couple months. Learning how to talk, to walk, use my hands," said Bull Hill.
Though he understands some injuries aren’t as easy to spot with the eyes. Bull says things like cancer, or mental health issues, disproportionately affect firefighters.
It’s why, after losing friends, he began to honor them by trekking across Florida with items of theirs on his back to raise awareness.
“Next thing I knew, I had 78 different items on that backpack,” he said.
Now 78 has turned into the hundreds, and a walk grew into his organization, The Firehood Foundation.
So far, he’s walked thousands of miles, and lobbied for benefits for families of firefighters who have passed away. All while carrying a piece of each person with him.
“90% of the items on there, the brothers and sisters wore,” he said.
But Bull also carries something else with him. He’s over 20 years sober after attempting suicide following 9/11. Now, he’s focusing on mental health advocacy. Though he’s now long been retired, things are just getting started.
Bull will having another awareness walk ending at the Marlins game on 9/11.
You can donate to the Firehood Foundation here.