VIDEO: Sometimes the best way of thanking your heroes is becoming one of them. A young man is now firefighter after he credits them for saving his life. The new recruit says he is ready to give others second chances. Zack Jones always had one dream job and that was to be a firefighter. “I grew up around just hearing the stories and it always sounded really cool to be a part of the department that saved my life,” said Jones. Zack's story begins on March 5, 2001. At just 2-years-old he choked on a gumball. His mother tried removing the candy but had to get help from a neighbor who got the candy out and called 9-1-1. Zack doesn't remember much from 18-years-ago besides his frequent visits thanking the Hendersonville first responders that helped save him. And after graduating from the academy this month, Zack is now a part of that same team of Hendersonville heroes.