For most of us, saving a person from certain death is one of the ultimate human experiences we might never have. But Tomas Jaunzems of the State Fire And Rescue Service Of Latvia definitely knows what it feels like. Recently, his colleagues recorded Tomas leaning out of a window to catch a suicidal woman plummeting off an apartment building, and posted it to Facebook. Watching the thrilling video, you will without a doubt come one step closer to understanding what it takes to become a hero.
"During the weekend we received a call to a multi-apartment building where there was a suspicion that a person was going to jump from a fourth-floor window," a spokesperson of the State Fire And Rescue Service Of Latvia said.
"I decided to be a firefighter because I am my country's patriot, and helping people, saving people's lives and homes was my motivation," Jaunzems told Bored Panda. "I have been working in State Fire And Rescue Service Of Latvia for almost five years."
Tomas Jaunzems and his crew arrived at the property, finding their way to an apartment below. Realizing the woman was likely to jump, they prepared for a grab. While Jaunzems was waiting for a fall at the window, another firefighter rescuer tried to stabilize him as firmly as possible. At the same time, other crew members with mountaineering equipment tried to access people on the sill from the roof of the building, but the rescuers noticed that the woman had fallen and dropped.
Tomas said he hasn't practiced such a scenario in the past. "It was the first time I have done this, we haven't been practicing this kind of people rescue works. It is nearly impossible to tell you what the most difficult thing was during that day because every day in firefighters' lives is different [and] challenging. We just do the thing we do the best – help people!"
When asked if he keeps a track of the people he saved, Tomas proved he remains humble. "In five years in service, there have been a lot of different situations – fires, car crashes and almost in all of them people needed help. We work in [a] team and I don't count how many lives I have saved."
Latvia’s Minister of the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis praised the fearless fire brigade rescuers whose service he’s overseeing: “The work of the rescuers is very special – it requires courage, professionalism and the ability to act quickly and decisively in complicated and often non-standard situations. I am proud of these two rescuers of the HGH who saved human life.”
After officially assessing the brave and quick actions of the firefighter rescuers as well as the initiative they showed when saving human life, they should receive awards from both the service and the Ministry of the Interior.
Scroll down to watch how the bone-chilling event unfolded
More info: vugd.gov.lv | Facebook
Tomas Jaunzems has recently proved why firefighter rescuers are the heroes we so desperately need
Image credits: Tomas Jaunzems
"During the weekend we received a call to a multi-apartment building"
Image credits: LNT
"There was a suspicion that a person was going to jump from a fourth-floor window"
Image credits: Latvianfirefighters
Jaunzems and his crew arrived at the location, finding their way to an apartment below
Image credits: Latvianfirefighters
Realizing the woman was likely to jump, they prepared for a grab
Image credits: Latvianfirefighters
While Jaunzems was waiting for a fall through a window, another firefighter rescuer tried to stabilize him as firmly as possible
Image credits: Latvianfirefighters
Watch the full video to see the heroic act for yourself
After an official assessment of their brave and quick actions, the firefighter rescuers should receive awards from both the service and the Ministry of Internal
Image credits: Tomas Jaunzems
People started praising the heroes instantly
