Helping to Keep Cats Purring and Dog Tails Wagging

Firefighters voluntarily commit to making every effort within their scope of training and ability to assist fellow residents in our most vulnerable time of need. A fire or medical emergency is a traumatic experience in itself. Not only are firefighters usually the first on the scene of a crisis, but they are also saving lives beyond the fire ground. 

Rochester New York Firefighter Gil Ferrer pictured on the left is true to the spirit of public health and safety, even off-duty. Gil is one of those hero’s you walk past in the street each day, a hero that drops everything and puts their lives on hold for total stranger day in and day out without a second thought.

While people typically think of firefighters saving people from burning buildings, they also fight to save those in distress or during a medical emergency even when off duty, getting them home to family and often some very happy tail wagging dogs and purring cats.

FIREFIGHTERS4PAWS was created in 2016 by Davis Rogers after his spouse Paul was mowing the grass and suffered a cardiac arrest. Davis was performing CPR and off duty firefighter neighbor Gil Ferrer heard Davis’s cries for help, sprang into action, running next door reliving Davis and allowing Davis to call 911. While Paul spent several weeks in the hospital his two dogs were very happy when he returned home. Without on and off duty heroes like Gil and his quick action these two pets may have lost their pet parent.

This day is dedicated to Gil Ferrer and all firefighters who give everything by helping Paul and others like him to beat the odds when it seems as if all hope is lost. Thank you, Gil, for saving Paul’s life, for risking your life every day. For all the times no one comes back to thank you, we are thanking you.