Charlotte, December 18, 2025
On December 17, Charlotte firefighters brought smiles to young patients at Levine Children’s Hospital by rappelling down the building in festive costumes. This heartwarming tradition, which has been celebrated for four years, involves firefighters dressed as Santa, elves, and even the Grinch, interacting with children to lift their spirits during the holiday season. Captain Jason Hardin emphasized the impact of these visits amidst their emergency duties, showcasing the firefighters’ dual commitment to community engagement and emergency response.
Charlotte
Charlotte Firefighters brought a wave of holiday cheer to young patients at Levine Children’s Hospital on December 17, 2025, by rappelling down the 12-story building dressed in festive costumes. This heartwarming annual tradition saw firefighters, including one in a Grinch costume, elves, and Santa suits, waving to children through the hospital windows, just hours after some of the same crews had responded to a significant structure fire.
Holiday Smiles from Above
The highly anticipated event, now in its fourth year, is designed to brighten the spirits of children who are spending their holiday season in the hospital. Clad in their cheerful attire, members of the Charlotte Fire Department’s Special Operations Team meticulously descended the exterior of the hospital, pausing at each window to interact with the young patients and their families. This year’s rappel underscored the department’s dual commitment to both emergency response and community well-being.
Captain Jason Hardin, a key organizer of the event since its inception, highlighted the importance of these visits. He noted that being in the hospital, especially during the holidays, can be incredibly challenging for children and their families, and the firefighters aim to lift their spirits. The sight of a waving Grinch or Santa at their window provides a moment of unexpected joy and wonder for the kids. Firefighter Justin Ranson was among those who donned a Santa Claus costume for the descent.
The tradition began several years ago from a simple question within the fire department: how could they bring holiday magic to children unable to leave the hospital? This led to the collaboration with Levine Children’s Hospital and Atrium Health, which have fully supported the initiative, helping it grow into an event eagerly anticipated by families each December.
From Emergency to Empathy: A Day of Service
The Rappel for Smiles event showcased the diverse and demanding nature of a firefighter’s job. Many of the participating firefighters had already faced the intensity of emergency calls earlier in the day. Just hours before donning holiday costumes, some crews were battling a structure fire that resulted in one person being sent to the emergency room. This rapid transition from confronting tragedy to spreading joy offers a unique perspective on their commitment to service.
Captain Hardin described the event as a “reset” for many firefighters, allowing them to witness laughter and smiles after dealing with difficult situations. He emphasized that while the harnesses and safety lines are real, the most important equipment carried is the smile. The event provides firefighters with an opportunity to connect with the community in a different, more joyful way, reminding them of the broader impact of their service. Fire Chief Reginald Johnson commended the team’s dedication, especially given their demanding start to the day.
Ongoing Dedication to Public Safety
The rappelling event is just one example of the Charlotte Fire Department’s continuous activity within the community. Over the past 48 hours, Charlotte firefighters have also responded to several other significant incidents across the city. On the morning of December 18, 2025, Charlotte Fire crews tackled a two-alarm apartment fire on Farm Pond Lane in east Charlotte. The fire, which broke out just before 5:00 a.m. at the Summit Ridge Apartments, required 60 firefighters approximately 39 minutes to bring under control, with no injuries reported.
Earlier, on the morning of December 17, 2025, the department responded to a mobile home fire on Forestwinds Lane in northwest Charlotte. This fire, which began around 7:45 a.m., was controlled in about 22 minutes. Investigations determined the fire was accidental, originating in a utility closet with HVAC equipment, displacing two residents and leading to non-life-threatening injuries for one individual.
Additionally, on December 15, 2025, Charlotte Fire Department crews were involved in extricating a seriously injured driver from a vehicle following a serious crash on Interstate 485 in east Charlotte. The collision, which occurred near mile marker 38.2, involved an oversized commercial truck and an SUV, leading to the closure of two right exit lanes for an extended period.
These incidents highlight the Charlotte Fire Department’s constant readiness and proficiency in managing a wide range of emergencies, from fire suppression and rescue operations to providing critical emergency medical services. Their dedication extends beyond responding to crises, as demonstrated by their commitment to community engagement and spreading holiday cheer. The department continues to protect and serve a population of over 892,000 across 320 square miles of Mecklenburg County from its 43 fire stations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What event did Charlotte Firefighters participate in on December 17, 2025?
- Charlotte Firefighters rappelled down Levine Children’s Hospital dressed in holiday costumes to deliver smiles to young patients.
- What costumes did the firefighters wear during the rappel?
- The firefighters wore Santa suits, elf hats, and a Grinch costume.
- How many stories high was the rappel?
- The firefighters rappelled down the 12-story Levine Children’s Hospital.
- Who organized the rappelling event?
- Captain Jason Hardin has helped organize the event since it began.
- How often does this rappelling event occur?
- This is an annual tradition, and the December 17, 2025 event was the fourth time it has been held.
- What other significant incidents did Charlotte Firefighters respond to recently?
- Within the last 48 hours, they responded to a two-alarm apartment fire in east Charlotte on December 18, 2025, and a mobile home fire in northwest Charlotte on December 17, 2025. They also performed an extrication at a serious crash on I-485 on December 15, 2025.
- What was the outcome of the two-alarm apartment fire on December 18, 2025?
- The fire on Farm Pond Lane in east Charlotte was controlled by 60 firefighters in 39 minutes, with no injuries reported.
- What caused the mobile home fire on December 17, 2025?
- The mobile home fire on Forestwinds Lane was determined accidental, originating from HVAC equipment in a utility closet.
Key Features of Charlotte Fire Department’s Holiday Rappel
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Holiday Rappel for Smiles |
| Date | December 17, 2025 |
| Location | Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte |
| Participants | Charlotte Fire Department Special Operations Team, including Captain Jason Hardin, Captain Jeff Bright, and Firefighter Justin Ranson |
| Costumes Worn | Santa suits, elf hats, Grinch costume |
| Building Height | 12 stories |
| Purpose | To bring joy and lift the spirits of children hospitalized during the holiday season |
| Frequency | Annual tradition (fourth occurrence) |
| Significance | Demonstrates dual role of emergency response and community engagement; offers a “reset” for firefighters |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
