After 27 years wearing the firefighter uniform, the Latina lieutenant Lázara Viera completed her final shift in South Florida. Her farewell in Miami-Dade was surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues who wanted to accompany her as she closed a career marked by service and breaking through in a profession where women continue to be a minority.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) reported this Monday that Viera finished his last shift on Saturday, concluding a career that began in 1999 in the city of Tamarac and continued two years later in Miami-Dade.
In 2001, he joined Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as a member of Recruit Class 87. Since then, he has dedicated 25 years to responding to emergencies and serving the residents of the county.
Her last call came from Station 57 in West Kendall. When she returned, it was not another emergency awaiting her, but rather her own farewell: family, friends, coworkers, and the chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Ray Jadallah, had gathered to celebrate her achievements and recognize her years of service.
The department highlighted that Viera carried out his work for decades "with professionalism, compassion, and heart" and wished him a long and happy retirement.
Now, after years in which a phone call could completely change the course of any day, Viera hopes to dedicate more time to his family and especially enjoy his grandchildren.
Her story had drawn attention months earlier. In March, Noticias Telemundo dedicated a report to her, presenting Viera as a Latina firefighter who for years has broken stereotypes within a profession traditionally dominated by men.
Viera then recounted that from a very young age, she knew she wanted to be a firefighter, although when she started on that path, it was still uncommon to find women in that role.
«They even told me: the word 'bombera' does not exist, it's 'bombero'», she recalled when discussing the barriers she faced at the beginning of her career.
Decades later, that young woman became a lieutenant, driver of an emergency unit and responsible for a team at Station 57.
Viera also spoke about the reactions he still encountered in some emergencies.
"They do not think that there can be female firefighters," she explained, recalling the surprise of some people when they saw her arrive in uniform to assist them.
For her, however, the job was never just about putting out fires or answering ambulances. It also involved bringing comfort to people going through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Describing each emergency exit as "an adventure," he explained that one of the greatest satisfactions was knowing that he could provide "peace" and "tranquility" to someone in critical condition.
Viera is the mother of four children and the grandmother of four grandchildren. According to Telemundo, she began her journey as a firefighter when she already had two young children and had two more while advancing her career.
The experience of being a mother and a firefighter ended up nourishing each other. The report highlighted that Viera believed motherhood had made her a better professional and that her profession had also helped her become a better mother.
His vocation was once again reflected in early March when he participated alongside firefighters and cadets in the Fight for Air Climb held at loanDepot Park, an initiative to raise funds and create awareness about lung diseases.
Participants climbed over 1,700 steps, several of them carrying all the heavy equipment used by the firefighters.
"We are climbing for those who cannot climb right now, for those we have lost, for those who are struggling at this moment," Viera then told WSVN.
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