Jorge Chiu is a real life superhero. By day, he saves lives as the chief of cardiothoracic services in a Guatemala City military hospital. By night, he is a volunteer firefighter, rushing to crime scenes and other emergency areas, making a difference one case at a time.

Guatemala City has one of the highest crime rates in Central America, averaging 100 murders per week. More than 60 percent of the population possesses a gun. Hospitals in the city are understaffed and supplies is scarce as the gang-fueled violence continues to spread. In a country where state institutions are seen as corrupt and lack proper, social safety nets, emergency responders are oftentimes the only thing that remotely resemble helping hands.

This is where Chiu comes in. Since he is the only member of the corps to have any medical training, his assistance has proven vital on many occasions. Chiu has even had to deal with threats from criminals, whose victims he’s saved.

“I feel that as a Guatemalan, my responsibility is to make a change in my country, not just to compare and criticize, but actually to take a step ahead and try to be that difference,” Chiu said.

In 2002, Chiu started a program to train paramedics in advanced techniques, such as intubating patients. He hopes to leave a legacy behind as he trains more volunteers. In this way, Guatemala City’s fire department can provide better assistance for those in danger even after he retires.

There is also a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to get the volunteer firefighters better equipment. Find out more HERE:  http://www.gofundme.com/8pj92w

A volunteer firefighter becomes Guatemala City’s unsuspecting hero

Jorge Chiu is a real life superhero. By day, he saves lives as the chief of cardiothoracic services in a Guatemala City military hospital. By night, he is a volunteer firefighter, rushing to crime scenes and other emergency areas, making a difference one case at a time.

Note: Portions of this video footage were provided by VICE’s Giles Clarke.