Bio: Victor Fernandez is a firefighter in St. Albert, Alta. He immigrated to Canada in the 1980s from Chile. In 2000, he founded Canadian Aid for Fire Services Abroad (CAFSA), a non-profit group that gathers used firefighting gear and equipment to send to countries in need, mostly in Central and South America. Fernandez is one of the Top 10 finalists in CBC and Outpost magazine's Champions of Change contest. CBCNews.ca Your Voice asked him why he volunteers.

My story: In terms of effort and hours, I probably put in 40 to 60 hours a week sometimes for CAFSA. I spend money out of my own pocket and give up holidays from work that I'm supposed to spend with my family. But my family doesn't mind, because I put myself in someone else's shoes when I do this. When you're able to do that, compassion comes in.

There is something called the brotherhood of the firefighter, and my foundation was created in 2000 to help firefighters around the world. We most often go to south and central America, including Guatemala, Chile, and El Salvador. We're looking to go Nicaragua as well.

I began with two firefighter helmets to Santiago, Chile, that I sent to some buddies. Since then, we've sent five fire trucks and more than 800 pieces of protective equipment, including helmets, jackets, pants, boots, and balaclavas.

It's a very intense procedure to take these trips, and it takes a lot of paper work.
 
Firefighting is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Everyone else avoids a burning building, but we go in it. In Canada, we are protected 100 per cent, because the health and safety standards are very strict. We have top engineered jackets, great health care, but our firefighters are still getting sick.

The firefighters in these other countries go in with jeans and leather jackets not designed for firefighting, because they simply can't afford more. To properly dress a firefighter from head to toe costs probably $10,000. But if you look at it, $10,000 to save an individual's life -- it's nothing.

The impact we make is not only with the firefighters but the communities. The last mission I was on was in Chillan, Chile, after the earthquake last February. This city has a population of about 170,000 and eight fire stations. They lost four stations. They have around 800 firefighters, but only eight breathing apparatuses for the entire fleet, and only five were in operation.

We came in with 53 breathing apparatuses all ready to go. Each costs thousands of dollars, and this allows the firefighter to breathe fresh air, and go into a toxic environment to save somebody.

I can tell you this -- people in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean don't remember Victor Fernandez. They remember Canada. They say that "this fire truck is from Canada." That makes me, as a Canadian, very proud. In many of these places, they make a big ceremony when we go there. They have Canadian flags, they sing the Canadian national anthem ... it's beautiful. It gets very emotional. I'm a passionate guy about this.

We also want to share your stories of volunteerism. Tell us what volunteer work you do and answer this question: "Why do you volunteer?" We may feature you on our website as well. Let us know in the comments below, email us at yournews@cbc.ca, or leave a message on Facebook or Twitter. You can vote for your favourite Champion of Change here.