At 4-feet-2, Pittsburgh volunteer fireman Vince Brasco is being called the world’s shortest firefighter.
Pound for pound, he might also be the strongest.
The 87-pound Brasco can bench press 265 pounds, more than three times his body weight.
“I work out a lot, as much as I can, down at my gym,” the 19-year-old told the Daily Mail. “It really helps on the job. You need to be strong.”
Born with a form of dwarfism that stunts bone growth, Brasco is not yet allowed to enter burning buildings — not because of his size, but because he hasn’t yet passed the firefighter essentials exam.
Until then, he’ll continue fighting fires from the outside as a part of the group of firefighters that holds the hose, a job that takes every bit of his strength. “If you weren’t strong enough that thing would fly out of control,” he said.
Pound for pound, he might also be the strongest.
The 87-pound Brasco can bench press 265 pounds, more than three times his body weight.
“I work out a lot, as much as I can, down at my gym,” the 19-year-old told the Daily Mail. “It really helps on the job. You need to be strong.”
Born with a form of dwarfism that stunts bone growth, Brasco is not yet allowed to enter burning buildings — not because of his size, but because he hasn’t yet passed the firefighter essentials exam.
Until then, he’ll continue fighting fires from the outside as a part of the group of firefighters that holds the hose, a job that takes every bit of his strength. “If you weren’t strong enough that thing would fly out of control,” he said.
PHOTO: David Kelly/Barcroft USA
