Two years after a life-changing crash in Exton, volunteer firefighter Emily Gindele has returned to duty with the West Whiteland Fire Company, writes Briana Smith for 6ABC.
In October 2023, she and her fiancé, fellow volunteer firefighter Colin Reedy, hydroplaned during a storm while responding to a call. Sadly, Reedy died, and Gindele suffered severe injuries, including a spinal fracture, traumatic brain injury, and stroke.
Now 26 years old, Gindele says she’s still navigating grief and recovery but remains determined to serve.
“I’m just putting one foot in front of the other,” she said. “To prove to myself who I am and what I am capable of.”
With support from her family, medical team, and firefighting community, she’s back at the firehouse and earning new certifications. Her crew has honored Reedy’s memory with a memorial outside the station.
Gindele hopes her journey inspires others facing adversity and emphasizes the lifesaving importance of blood donation, which she credits with her survival.
Read more about Emily Gindele’s inspiring story and remember Colin Reedy at 6ABC.
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