MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Two South Florida firefighters returned home following two-week stints volunteering in Israel to aid in the ongoing conflict.
Hollywood firefighter Anthony Vera was welcomed by colleagues and friends at Miami International Airport Tuesday morning. He was part of the Emergency Volunteer Project. He spoke with 7News shortly after landing, sharing how he was driven by his desire to serve.
“I went over there to help out, knowing what they’ve been through. It’s basically their 9/11,” said Vera. “So we appreciate any outside help that we get and we help them now.”
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Capt. Jason Friedman also returned home Tuesday. Last week, he spoke with 7News via Zoom while in Tel Aviv.
“I’m at a station that normally runs numbers between 10 and 15 calls a day. We’ve been running maybe, like, three to four calls a day,” he said.
Both firefighters said their colleagues in Israel were also soldiers, and with many of them deployed as part of the ongoing war, their volunteer work allowed them to assist in fire calls.
Though the work was similar to what they’ve done in South Florida, both firefighters acknowledged the differences when handling fires in the middle of a war.
“It’s difficult over there because, one minute you’re fighting fire, the other minute, a siren sounds,” said Vera. “If there’s a rocket overhead, you gotta duck.”
Vera now plans to relax with his family and return to work for the Hollywood Fire Department next week.
“Anthony is always there. When something happens, he’s always there,” said Hollywood Fire Chief Dan Booker. “He’s everybody’s hero.”
“I think his acts speak for themself and he’s definitely someone I look up to in this department,” said Hollywood Firefighter Brandon Pellecer.
Vera and Friedman said their hearts are now with those they’ve met during their time overseas.
“Those guys are … they’re fighters,” said Vera. “Whether they’re firefighters, whether they’re police officers, everybody realizes the urgency, the importance of what’s going on over there.”
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