00:00Their fire and rescue unit has been around for almost two decades.
00:06It is made up of 26 volunteers.
00:09The veterinarian couple, Doc Gerwin and Doc Jennifer,
00:13are the founders of this group.
00:16You are both vets, right?
00:19Veterinarians, both of you.
00:21How did you get into firefighting?
00:24It seems like it's so far from vets and firefighting.
00:29In 1996, when I was in high school,
00:31my father told me that after school,
00:37our neighbor's house was burned down.
00:40The part of the restaurant was damaged.
00:42All the stocks were burned down.
00:46My father told me that if it wasn't for the volunteer firefighters and the BFP,
00:52we wouldn't have a house.
00:54We lived on the third floor of the restaurant.
00:57The people who helped us so that it wouldn't burn down,
01:00aside from the bureau, were the fire volunteers.
01:03That was the time I got an idea regarding volunteer firefighting.
01:09Doc Gerwin and Doc Gene were just in love when they became firefighters.
01:16Did you meet each other because of firefighting?
01:19In school.
01:20As a school.
01:21So when you found out that your boyfriend was a firefighter,
01:27it came with him.
01:31But did you have a mindset that your boyfriend was putting you in danger?
01:37Yes.
01:38Actually, when I met him, he was already a firefighter.
01:43So I think I had to accept that part of him.
01:51That was his passion, his advocacy, coming from his experiences.
01:58Then you also joined the firefighting.
02:01It became automatic.
02:03Actually, I also saw the fulfillment,
02:09helping the firefighters.
02:11When I was with him, I saw the distress of the people, their panic.
02:17It's also a big thing that somehow it helped them.
02:24Within almost 20 years, they have already responded to many fires.
02:29But there is one incident that they will never forget as a firefighter and veterinarian couple.
02:37We're just coming home from taking the kids to school.
02:41I saw a firetruck of someone.
02:44It's not coming out of the area of responsibility.
02:48So I said, let's follow it.
02:50When I went there, I went down first.
02:52So I said, stay in the car.
02:53Then when I got to the fire scene, the dogs were already coming out.
02:57Of course, as a vet, you have a passion for dogs, right?
03:01Then I found out that there were a lot.
03:03So I asked my team to call her.
03:06Because I can't handle everything.
03:07Around 100 dogs you meet.
03:09Oh my gosh!
03:11There are so many.
03:12The owner of the house is passionate about dogs.
03:15Rescueing dogs.
03:16So even her neighbors, if there are dogs that are not taken care of.
03:24Tell me about your experience when you got there.
03:27You had to rescue almost 100 dogs.
03:32She was the first one.
03:34So when I arrived, I saw that there were dogs lying outside.
03:38The firefighters took them out.
03:40So from there, there were also those who brought portable oxygen.
03:47So that's it.
03:48Trying to revive the dogs that were...
03:53Because they were already...
03:55Unconscious.
03:57Smoke inhalation.
03:59As veterinarians, the lives of pets are important to the lives of humans.
04:07And how does it feel every time...
04:09Especially you, your dogs are close to your heart.
04:13How did it feel at that time?
04:17What we do, it's not just for nothing.
04:21Not only for the lives of humans.
04:26Even the animals, especially nowadays.
04:31Our pet friends are special.
04:34Our pet family.
04:36We treat them like family also.
04:38So when I saw the affected owners of these animals.
04:47They are also very thankful.
04:49So it gives us also the validity that what you're doing is okay.
04:59Despite the dangers they face,
05:02Minsan does not ask for payment for all their help.
05:11You don't get anything from this.
05:14I mean, you don't get paid.
05:15No, we don't.
05:16You don't get paid for your services?
05:20No.
05:21You don't charge anything?
05:22No, we don't.
05:23We don't.
05:24It's really purely volunteer.
05:26You're the ones who are spending.
05:28You're the ones who are spending.
05:29The business funds, the volunteer fire brigade.
05:32Aside from the personal income from being a veterinary consultant.
05:37Why are you doing this?
05:38You're a businessman.
05:39You're the ones who are spending.
05:40It's different when you're able to help.
05:42It feels good.
05:43You want to do something good for the community and for all the blessings that you have received.
05:49It's already included in the budget.
05:50It's already included in the budget.
05:51Really?
05:52After all, we are rewarded with blessings from the Lord.
05:57So we might as well share where we can benefit a lot.
06:03Like here in San Juan, the community of San Juan is our priority.
06:09But aren't you afraid of your life?
06:12Because the fire is very dangerous.
06:14Yes, true.
06:15It's dangerous.
06:16But that's where training comes in.
06:19That's where the years of experience comes in.
06:22Right?
06:23And that's where the proper equipment.
06:26And your team that knows how to do it properly.
06:29And your other colleagues in the volunteer industry.
06:32They also know how to do it.
06:34So we cooperate.
06:35We help each other.
06:42We help each other.
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