For every boy, police and firefighters are the professions closest to heroes, and they are also one of the most handsome and cool images in their hearts! I like fire trucks and police car toys the most since I was a child. When my parents heard the sirens of fire trucks and ambulances while driving, I saw all the vehicles stopped to make way. Such a scene is shocking and touching! Protecting life and safety is the great duty of firefighters, What an amazing job! That’s why firefighters are always heroes in my heart!
I chose James Braidwood as my unsung hero because he was very brave and made important contributions to the world of firefighting. He was not just a firefighter—he helped change how the fire service works, even to this day.
James Braidwood started his career in Edinburgh, Scotland, as a fire engine keeper and firefighter. At that time, firefighting was messy, unsafe, and not well-organized. He realized that fire services needed to be more professional and better trained. In 1824, he helped set up the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment, one of the first professional fire departments in the world. Braidwood believed that firefighters should receive proper training and work as a team. He also taught that they must stay calm and act fast during emergencies. Today, these ideas sound normal, but back then, they were new and very advanced. His ideas helped shape modern firefighting around the world.
In my painting, I placed Braidwood’s portrait in the center because I want people to notice him right away. Since he lived a long time ago, I could only find a few blurry black-and-white images of him on Google. So, I studied portraits of other people from the same time period to learn how they showed skin tones and lighting. I practiced a lot before finishing this piece. The process was new and challenging for me, but I learned so much from it.
Above his portrait, I drew an early fire engine with big red wheels and pipes. This represents his important role in the firefighting profession. In the background, I painted houses and forests on fire to show the dangers of fire and the urgent situations firefighters face.
For the portrait, I mainly used acrylic paint, which allowed me to show more detail. For the background, I used markers, which gave me more freedom to draw the flames, smoke, and movement. The red and orange fire shows the danger, while the blue arms reaching from the sides represent firefighters working hard at the scene. Through this painting, I want people to feel the bravery and dedication of firefighters.
Through this project, I learned more about heroes like James Braidwood. Even though they are not famous, they have made a big difference in our world. He showed me that heroes don’t have to be superstars—they can be ordinary people doing extraordinary things. His story encourages me to be brave, help others, and do something meaningful in the future.
I hope my portrait of James Braidwood can be seen by more people. I will release the message through social media so that more people can share my feelings. When we see the bright red fire trucks speeding through the road, give them more thanks and support! Salute to every unknown firefighter hero!
