The only thing that survived the fire were the soles

Ambulance nurse Linnea on safety and protective equipment

The morning after a perfect evening by the lake, Linnea was woken by a phone call from the fire brigade. One of the buildings on the family farm had burned to the ground.

Later, as she walked among the ashes and the remains of what had recently been a small cabin, she noticed something unexpected: a single outsole, almost completely intact.

“That’s when I realised just how well the JALAS outsoles had held up against the heat.

Linnea works as a specialist nurse in anaesthesia and ambulance care. Her path into healthcare actually began long before that — as a tour guide at holiday destinations abroad.

“In that role, you had to solve unexpected problems on the spot. We also dealt with accidents involving guests, and I realised I was quite good at staying calm and taking action when others were stressed.”

At the same time, she had always been fascinated by the human body and how it works. That combination eventually led her into emergency healthcare.

No two days are the same in an ambulance. One moment, it might involve helping an elderly person who has fallen at home. The next, responding to an emergency call where every second counts.

“What I appreciate most is the variety. Some days are high pressure and chaotic, while others are simply about sitting down and talking to a patient. On a really good day, we’ve been the difference between life and death for someone.”

But the work also comes with difficult contrasts.
“The hardest part is when you feel powerless or unable to help enough. When you want to do more but can’t. I also find it difficult seeing how much loneliness there is in society, especially among older people.”

Safety comes first in ambulance care

Working in ambulance care means constantly adapting to new environments and situations.

“We often work in cramped and logistically challenging spaces, which means we need to be able to both plan ahead and improvise.”

Safety awareness is present during every assignment.

“In our job, we have to take responsibility for our own safety. We continuously assess both our own safety and the patient’s — where we are, what risks exist, and how quickly the situation could change.”

That is why reliable safety gear is essential.

“Whether it’s 30°C outside or a snowstorm, we need equipment that protects us from things that could otherwise cause injuries.”

For Linnea, it is important that her work shoes perform well in all weather conditions and situations. During winter, they need to keep her warm, while summer requires lighter, more breathable shoes for long shifts spent constantly on the move.

“I appreciate shoes that help regulate temperature. My toes are always freezing in winter and overheated in summer. I also value things like durable zips and BOA fastening systems.”

When it comes to protective gloves, warmth, water resistance and a good fit are the most important factors.

An evening that began in complete harmony

It was one of the first truly warm days of spring. The family had spent the evening at their hand-built sauna by the lake. They swam, grilled sausages and enjoyed the evening sun while the lake lay perfectly still.

“The only sound was birdsong across the lake.”

At around ten o’clock that evening, they left, with everything still calm and quiet. By the following morning, everything had changed.

“I woke up to a call from the fire brigade. They told me that an old storage shed next to the sauna had been completely destroyed in a fire during the early morning.”

A neighbour had spotted smoke from the other side of the lake and quickly taken a boat across to try to extinguish the fire.

“He quickly realised the building couldn’t be saved and instead focused on stopping the fire from spreading to the sauna.”

In just six minutes, the fire went from smoke beneath the building to a fully developed blaze. By the time Linnea arrived, nothing but ashes remained.

“Initially, I was obviously in shock. More than anything, it just felt strange. To leave a place feeling such peace and happiness after an incredible evening, only to wake up to bad news.”

Despite the loss, she mainly feels grateful.
“We’re incredibly grateful that it was that particular building that burned down and not the sauna, which we had spent so many hours building. And we feel enormous gratitude towards the neighbour who helped save the sauna from any damage.”

When the fire changed her view of safety footwear

Among the burnt remains, one thing stood out — an outsole from a pair of JALAS shoes. Despite the extreme heat, the outsole was still largely intact.

“I saw how so many other materials had been completely consumed by the flames, even things you’d expect to withstand high temperatures. So the fact that a material which looks fairly easy to melt could withstand heat so well genuinely impressed me.”

The incident also changed the way she viewed quality and safety gear.

“Previously, I probably thought, ‘it’ll probably hold up reasonably well’. But now I had physical proof that it really worked when it mattered most.”

At the same time, she hopes others can take something away from the experience.

“Always check barbecue or fire pits carefully and extinguish them properly with water or a lid, even if they appear completely out.”

And perhaps also this:

“It pays to invest in good protective equipment.”