September 29, 2026

Three years ago, a group of Florida firefighters rushed to an accident involving a critically injured 3-year-old girl.

Today, they are still showing up for her birthdays, celebrating her milestones and watching the little girl they helped save grow up.

Seminole County firefighters with Lila / WESH 2 News

When Seminole County firefighters arrived at the scene, they found Lila Pagan badly injured after accidentally being run over by a truck.

For Lt. Marcus Gombs, the scene was especially difficult.

"We got the call that there was a little girl that was potentially under a car," Gombs recalled. "When we got there, it was just a chaotic scene with just seeing a mom that's holding her little girl."

Lila was intubated and placed in a coma as her mother, Pamela Pagan, desperately tried to stay by her daughter's side.

"I did not think that she would make it to the hospital," Pamela said.

Before Lila was transported, Gombs stopped to pray with her frightened mother.

"Lieutenant Marcus Gombs stopped and prayed with me," she recalled. "He prayed for me and with me and for Lila."

Then came the news every parent hopes to hear. When Pamela arrived at the hospital, doctors told her that Lila was stable.

But the firefighters' role in the family's life didn't end when the emergency was over.

They kept in touch with the Pagan family and began showing up for birthdays, Christmas celebrations and other important moments in Lila's life.

Before long, the firefighters had even given her a special nickname.

"That's baby girl," Cross Ferrentino of Seminole County Fire said. "Anytime they come, that's baby."

What started with one of the most frightening calls of their careers turned into a relationship that has lasted for years.

And for the firefighters, watching Lila recover has been incredibly meaningful.

"Now she's over here running around, smiling and having a good time today," Gombs said.

The bond has gone both ways.

When Ferrentino passed his paramedic test, Pamela was one of the first people to reach out and congratulate him.

"Pam was the first one to reach out, say, 'Hey, I'm so proud of you,'" Ferrentino said. "That impacted me. Hey, I'm going to do the best I can do no matter what."

Ferrentino already has plans to keep being part of Lila's life for many years to come.

"I will be there at the wedding when she gets married in about 30 years," he joked, "and I got to make sure I approve of the guy too."