Congratulations to Jerell Thomas for Winning the March 2025 Barefoot Writing Challenge! (Your $100 prize is on its way!)
The challenge was to write an essay that answered this prompt:
Consider the quote “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Describe an example from your life when you experienced this firsthand.
Jerell shared a hair-raising story about a different kind of preparedness than what he’d been trained for. Enjoy his winning submission:
Luck is what happens when…
by Jerell Thomas
The quote “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” holds a special meaning for me as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and fire/EMS instructor. While some might see luck as pure chance, I have learned that being ready for the moment when it arrives is what truly matters. One experience in particular taught me a valuable lesson about preparation, opportunity, and the reality of being in the driver’s seat, literally.
I had been training to become a fire apparatus driver operator for some time, studying the mechanics of the trucks, practicing under supervision, and learning the rules of emergency vehicle operation. But no amount of training could fully prepare me for the excitement and nerves of my first real driving call. That moment came with the Ashland Fire Company No. 1 in Voorhees, New Jersey, when I was assigned to drive Tower 66 with none other than the fire chief, Mark McCloskey, sitting beside me. Our destination was a house fire in Magnolia, a couple of towns over from Voorhees.
As the tones dropped and the adrenaline kicked in, I jumped behind the wheel, eager to prove myself. With lights flashing and sirens blaring, I maneuvered through the streets, focused on getting us there quickly. But in my inexperience and excitement, I approached the intersection of the White Horse Pike and Evesham Road too fast. The massive tower ladder, with its weight and size, responded differently than I expected. As we hit the bump, the truck lurched, and for a brief moment, it felt like it might catch air.
The fire chief didn’t say much, but his look said it all. My heart pounded as I realized the mistake I had made. I had been so focused on speed and getting to the scene quickly that I had forgotten one of the most important lessons of driving fire apparatus: Control is everything. A fire truck isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a lifeline for those responding and those waiting for help. Arriving safely is more important than arriving fast.
That night, I learned that being prepared isn’t just about knowing how to drive a fire truck — it’s about understanding the responsibility that comes with it. The opportunity to drive came because of my training, but true luck came from walking away with a lesson that would make me a better, safer driver from that moment forward.
Now, as a fire/EMS instructor, I share this story with new drivers to emphasize the importance of staying calm, looking ahead, and respecting the power of fire and EMS apparatus. Luck may have played a role that night — I didn’t crash, and no one got hurt — but in reality, it was a lesson in preparation. The next time I drove, I was ready.
Luck isn’t just being in the right place at the right time. It’s about what you do with the opportunity when it comes. And sometimes, the best lessons come from the moments that almost went wrong.
