Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Firefighter Eduardo Baez recently recalled an unforgettable early morning incident on the Palmetto Expressway. It happened a few years ago on the overpass near Fire Station 1 in Miami Lakes where Baez was based.
It involved more than a dozen cars, an 18-wheeler across the median and collapsed light poles. People had to be rescued from the wrecks, he said.
“It looked like a movie set,” said Baez, 62, whose future will hopefully be a lot calmer since his retirement on Nov. 12.
Firefighting was a calling for Baez, who had a career in banking before he fulfilled his childhood dream at age 38.
“It was an honor and privilege to serve the residents of Miami-Dade County,” said Baez.
He was a driver/operator of fire trucks, ran the pump to supply water that suppressed blazes, protected crash scenes with the big rigs, responded to medical calls and did anything else that was needed.
“He is an inspiration to junior and veteran firefighters alike,” Capt. Jonathan C. Rodriguez from Station 1 said in a press statement.
“I would venture to say he is one of the best driver operators the department has ever seen,” Rodriguez said.
Retirement will be “challenging for a workaholic,” said Baez, who lives in Jupiter Farms.
His immediate plans include traveling with his wife Marilyn Baez.