The Rockwall Professional Firefighters Charities will host its annual Firefighters’ Ball on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront. This year’s gala will honor two Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighters, Tim Sullivan and Ted Carpenter, whose lives have exemplified extraordinary service and perseverance.
A Lifetime of Service
Tim Sullivan has dedicated more than 26 years to Dallas Fire Rescue, serving the citizens of Dallas with strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment. However, in March 2021, Sullivan’s own life changed forever when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest at home caused by a rare genetic heart condition.
Thanks to the quick actions of his wife, a nurse, and first responders, he survived, but what followed was years of hospitalizations, countless procedures, medications, and ultimately the need for a heart transplant. After a long wait, Sullivan received his first donor heart in February 2026. Tragically, complications required emergency treatment, and after spending weeks on ECMO, he underwent a second heart transplant just days later.
Continuing the Fight
Ted Carpenter proudly served the citizens of Dallas as a firefighter with Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 17 for more than 23 years, building a reputation for unwavering dedication, courage, and commitment to both his community and his fire family. At just 46 years old, Carpenter was diagnosed with terminal peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Throughout difficult treatments and unimaginable challenges, Carpenter has continued to inspire those around him with remarkable faith, resilience, and optimism. His story serves as a reminder that courage isn’t defined only by emergency calls – it is often found in the determination to keep fighting long after the uniform comes off.
The evening will feature dinner, live entertainment, casino gaming, auctions, a whiskey and cigar lounge, and the presentation honoring this year’s recipients. Every dollar raised helps provide meaningful assistance to firefighters and their families during life’s most difficult moments.
Original reporting: Blue Ribbon News (Rockwall) — read the source article.
