Ahead of Guinness World Records Day 2020 this November 18, we’re discovering the world of extraordinary record holders each week to build up the excitement for our global celebration of record breaking.?This week,?check out a towering fireman from Tennessee, USA.
28-year-old?Brandon Berridge from Winchester,?Tennessee, USA?is?bringing his local fire station to new heights?as the world’s?tallest firefighter.?
Born?into?a?relatively average height?American?family,?his father is?185.42?cm?(6?ft?1?in),?his mother reaches?180.34?cm (5?ft?11?in),?and?his brother is?190.5 cm (6?ft?3?in)?-?but Brandon?stands out above the rest as he towers?211.266 cm (6 ft 11.17 in)?earning him the Guinness World Record title,?the?tallest firefighter.?
Brandon?was first inspired to be a firefighter in 2015 when he?heard?the amazing and memorable stories?told by?other relatives?who?were also in the?profession.??
He?has?now?been a firefighter of the Tullahoma Fire Department since March?2016?and has been helping his community as an integral?member?of his?firehouse.??
Over the years, Brandon?has learned and cherished?the brotherhood?of the neighboring firehouses and the relationships that have been cultivated from this profession.?
“It truly is one big fire family. I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than one guy, everything is done together and always for the greater good.”??
He added, “no matter where you are a firefighter in the world, you always have brothers and sisters that have your back when you are in need and a mutual respect between all firehouses.”?
However, working as a 6’11 firefighter does present it’s challenges.??
Brandon?mentions,?“confined spaces are the biggest obstacle being as tall as I am.”??
But?his height also has?its advantages too.?He?says that smoke alarm installations, checking higher areas for fires, and scouting out issues that?a firefighter?of?an average height cannot reach?are his?specialty.?
At home, Brandon encounters more challenges like finding?clothes that fit him.??
Most times he has to special order clothes and shoes to fit him. Other problems are fitting into cars, door frames, and ceiling fans?- but one thing?that?he?cherishes?most?is?his?wife,?who?contrastingly?measures?149.86 cm?(4?ft?11?in)!?
When Brandon is unable to reach in cramped or low areas, she helps him out?at home and in?their day to day lives.?
Though Brandon encounters?certain?obstacles?on a regular basis, he has an extremely humble perspective on life.?Over?the years, Brandon has developed?a?really positive?attitude and?has learned to embrace his individuality.??
To any others?who may be struggling with their height?Brandon?says,?“the?world is not necessarily made for taller people, but there are certain aspects where we can shine. Find what you enjoy and do it. Greet the challenges and conquer them. Height can be an?advantage.“?
Discover more?extraordinary?record-breaking like?Brandon’s by joining in on the celebrations for?Guinness World Records (GWR) Day?18 November 2020!?
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