JFRD Firefighter Helps Injured After Spain Train Crash
A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter and his family are safe after being on board one of the trains involved in Wednesday’s high-speed rail collision in central Spain.
Firefighter Josue Garcia-Otero was traveling with his wife, Diamary Garcia, and six other family members on a post-wedding family trip when the tragedy occurred. Garcia-Otero is assigned to JFRD’s Critical Care Team, made up of the department’s most highly trained paramedics. His wife is employed as a nurse.
“We got to safety first, then began treating other patients that were critically injured,” Firefighter Garcia-Otero said. “My wife is a nurse, and she was helping too.”
“Our hearts are with the people of Spain, and everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy,” said Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “Josue had every reason to focus on his own family and nothing more. Instead, once they were safe, he and his wife went to work. That just goes to show the caliber of first responders they are.”
Earlier this month, JFRD featured Garcia-Otero as part of its Hispanic Heritage Month series. In that feature, he said the month is a time to honor the values his grandparents passed down, “especially caring for others.” On Wednesday, he and his wife put those values into practice thousands of miles from home.
Firefighter Garcia-Otero has served with JFRD for four years. He and his wife are focused on returning home and are not available for interviews at this time. JFRD is in contact with the family, and we look forward to welcoming them home safely.