Images of firefighters rescuing Dogs — captured by photographer John Redie during a fire on February 27 that hit a residential area in Tondo, Manila — went viral after he shared them on his socials.
In an interview with Animal Scene, John shared what he went through.
Preparing for the worst
Taking photographs during emergency situations can be quite challenging. A photographer under these circumstances should ensure that they don’t get in the way of the responders, for instance.
They should also make sure they don’t end up needing rescue themselves. This often means being prepared with the right equipment. For example, John was advised to bring protective gear, such as a hard hat.
Capturing bravery
For John, capturing this particular moment has made him appreciate the firefighters who rescued the Dogs. “[M]as lalong tumaas ang respeto at pagkabilib ko sa mga BumbHERO (bumbero) kasi kahit na ba napakadelikado ng trabaho or gawain [nila] ay hindi nila alintana ang panganib. At bukod doon ay ang malasakit sa mga hayop [na] alam kong turing nila ay hindi [lang] alaga kung hindi miyembro na ng pamilya. (My respect and admiration for firefighters have increased because, despite the dangers of what they do, they are not afraid to face them. Apart from that is their sympathy for animals, because I know they consider them not just as pets, but also as part of the family.)”
He shares photographs capturing how firefighters save lives, human or otherwise, so that others get inspired to volunteer in the future.
