In this episode of Living History with Alex, we sit down with Ralph Fernandez, a retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lieutenant with 27 years of service and a veteran member of Florida Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue.

From fast-paced firehouse life in Miami to deployments across the U.S. and the Caribbean, Ralph shares what it’s really like to respond to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and large-scale disasters—often when communities are living through the worst days of their lives.

He also opens up about the meaning behind his leather helmet, the sacrifices of family life during hurricane season, and his work training firefighters across Latin America and the Caribbean.

🌟 Topics Covered:
🚒 Growing up with a firefighter father and choosing the fire service
⏰ Life on a 24/48 schedule and always being “ready for action”
🔥 The most challenging fires and technical rescues
🌪️ Deployments to major hurricanes like Katrina, Florence, Michael, and Maria
🌊 Rescuing trapped residents during severe flooding in the Carolinas
🇭🇹 Responding to the Haiti earthquake and the challenges of collapsed buildings
🐕 Working alongside search dogs and international USAR teams
🪖 The story and symbolism behind his leather helmet and USAR helmet
🌎 Teaching firefighting and rescue techniques across South & Central America and the Caribbean
💡 Advice for young people—and future firefighters—about commitment, training, and service

This episode is not just about emergencies—it’s about courage, mentorship, and a lifelong commitment to helping others, both at home and around the world.

If you enjoy real stories of rescue, leadership, and service, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Living History with Alex.

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