Two best friends celebrated a unique weekend as they finished college together during a pandemic.
Not only were Andrew McLean and Nathan Turner classmates at UNC Charlotte, but they're also both from Yadkinville and serve as firefighters at Forbush Fire Department.
Aside from the department family, their ties run deep into their own families. “Even in elementary school, we had fire safety days," Turner said. "Pretty much my whole family was out there, because they were also volunteer firefighters at the time, and I mean, I was always around it and it’s just one of those things that I’ve always wanted to do and become.”
McLean said the family influence came easy, “As far back as I can remember I’ve been around the fire service, different fire departments that my father has been involved with, and that I’ve been involved with too."
Turner and McLean both got bachelor's degrees in Fire Safety Engineering Technology. Both told WFMY News 2 that they have a bond most college students don't have.