Eight Miami Beach firefighters have returned home to South Florida after two weeks of helping their counterparts in Israel, CBS News reports.
On Sunday, firefighters attended the ceremony along with family, supporters and members of the Miami Beach government where they were awarded certificates of merit. Captain Adonis Garcia stated:
Hearing the bombs and explosions going off the first night we got there, going into the bunker, was very different for me.
“We’d be in the truck responding to a call and you’d have an IDF guy with a long rifle in the truck with you, and they’d get out and watch around us to make sure we were safe.”
Miami Beach firefighters were split up upon arrival in Israel. They were sent to Haifa, Ayalon, Sharon, and Jerusalem. Despite the challenges, Garcia noted that they adapted quickly and that it was an unforgettable experience.
It was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a minute.
Miami Beach firefighters were paid a salary and benefits covered by the City of Miami Beach, Temple Beth Sholom, and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation during their time overseas.
