On August 6, Lieutenant Joshua Contreras and Firefighter Jace Wilson of the Ingalls Fire Department were returning home after assisting the Yale Fire Department with a grass fire when their lives changed in an instant.

While traveling back to Ingalls in Tanker 1, the fully loaded truck suffered a catastrophic front steering-tire failure. The tanker crossed the roadway, went through a guardrail, rolled multiple times down an embankment and came to rest in a wooded area.

Both Josh and Jace were trapped inside.

Passing motorists immediately stopped to help, freeing one of the firefighters while members of the Stillwater Fire Department worked to extricate the other. Both were transported to Tulsa for emergency medical care.

Thankfully, both survived, but the road to recovery is only beginning.

Jace was evaluated and has since been released from the hospital to continue recovering at home.

Josh sustained significant injuries, including a broken neck and fractures in multiple areas of his back. He continues to face a long road of healing and recovery ahead.

Josh has proudly served the Ingalls Fire Department for eight years and was promoted to Lieutenant within the last year. His service extends beyond responding to emergencies; he has also dedicated his time to helping develop and mentor the department’s student firefighters. Outside of the fire department, Josh is a husband, father of two and small-business owner.

Jace joined the Ingalls Fire Department within the past year while attending Oklahoma State University as an aviation student. Though newer to the department, he has already become a valued member of the Ingalls Fire family and has demonstrated the same willingness to step up and serve his community.

Like so many volunteer firefighters across the country, Josh and Jace give their time to protect their neighbors and surrounding communities. On August 6, they were seriously injured while doing exactly that.

Now, as medical bills and other expenses related to their injuries and recovery begin to pile up, we’re asking the community to help take some of that burden off Josh, Jace and their families.

Funds raised through this GoFundMe will help with medical expenses and other recovery-related costs resulting from the accident. Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser and keeping Josh, Jace and their families in your thoughts and prayers is equally appreciated.

These two firefighters answered the call when their community needed them.

Now, we’re asking the community to answer the call for them.