After brother’s death, FSW firefighter trainee finds purpose in service

When you first meet 22-year-old Juan Porras, you quickly learn what he's most passionate about.

"I believe in the American dream, just being able to give back," said Porras.

That dream, for Porras, is centered on service. Porras dove headfirst into training with FSW and the North Collier Fire Training Center to be a firefighter.

"We were on the last two weeks of Fire 1," said Porras. "I could say I was on top of the world. I was doing good physically and mentally."

While Porras was preparing for the hardship of service, he had no idea the hardship he'd face with his family.

"They called my mom and said, 'Hey, your son was involved in a shooting,'" said Porras.

This past March, Porras lost his 25-year-old brother, Juan Ruiz-Perez, in a shooting.

"A bunch of everything went through my mind. It was heartbreaking getting this news," said Porras.

Grieving the brother he lost could have stopped Porras from finishing school, but the brothers he gained wouldn't let that happen.

"They gave me support and love that I didn't know that I would be getting," said Porras.

As Porras pursues his career, he says every call he answers will be in dedication to the ones he loves.

"How much he meant to me," said Porras. "I'm going to dedicate my career to him. Once I become a fireman, I'm going to have that chance to save a brother. I'm going to save somebody's brother, somebody's son, somebody's husband. My brother is my new why."

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