On Christmas Eve last year, our four silly pug dogs locked my mother out of her car while they were at the park. The pugs stepped on the door lock inside the car and they were trapped inside and my mother was stuck outside. Her purse, keys and phone were all inside the car.

My mother started to panic since there was no one around to help and the dogs were becoming anxious. Luckily a jogger came by and asked if my mother needed help. The jogger said he saw a park employee and went to get him.

The park employee was great help and called the fire department and said help was on the way. It wasn’t long before the firefighters arrived and got the car door opened. What a relief that was for my mother and the dogs!

Christmas Eve was saved thanks to the kindness of strangers and the firefighters from Northwest Fire District–Station 33. It was just another day for them I suppose, but we will forever be grateful. No job is too big or too small for firefighters when it comes to saving people and animals. I believe they really are heroes with hearts of gold.

 I’m proud to say my Grandfather Banchero (Papa), who passed away recently, was a Lieutenant with the San Francisco Fire Department for many years. My Uncle Rickie is a firefighter in Union City, California. I would like firefighters everywhere to know how much they are loved and appreciated.