Self-Introduction | "Disaster prevention is best when you don't overdo it": A note from a former firefighter wearing a panda mask

Disaster prevention is a hassle.
...To be honest, I still think so even now.

Protecting lives or preparing for emergencies
tends to feel heavy and exhausting.

But if that makes you hesitate to take the first step,
I think it's okay to be
a bit more "relaxed" about it.

Nice to meet you, I'm HIRO, a former firefighter.
For 10 years, I was on the front lines facing life-and-death situations.



A few years after I became a firefighter,
one morning, just as I was finally getting used to the job,
my father suddenly passed away.

The cause of death was acute myocardial infarction.

Even though I was with him the day before and that very morning,
and even though I had knowledge of emergency care,
I couldn't do anything.

I learned later that there were warning signs.
Yet I didn't notice them.
That regret stayed with me in my heart.

From that day on, I became afraid of riding in an ambulance
and being dispatched to emergency scenes.

When I heard the sound of a siren,
I would start to feel sick,
and a doctor diagnosed me with adjustment disorder.

I gave up on the firefighting job I loved,
and my dream of becoming a paramedic.

Usually, people who quit the fire department
are moving on to their next dream.

But I was different.
I didn't have any cool reason.
To be blunt, I ran away.
I was truly disappointed in my own weakness.

Years later, at my father's 12th-anniversary memorial service,
my mother, whom I hadn't seen in years, said,

"I still regret that I couldn't do anything."

The moment I heard those words, I felt it intuitively.

My mother would likely carry this "regret" for the rest of her life. At the same time, the feelings I had been suppressing inside me

came flooding out all at once.

"I don't want to increase the number of people who feel this way..."
"But what can I do, when I have nothing?"
"...No, I do have the knowledge and experience from 'that time'."

Thinking that,
I decided to face "life-saving" and "disaster prevention" once again.

But I decided on one thing.

I won't overdo it, and I won't make others do it either.

That's why I wear a panda mask when I share information.

...?????
Did you think that? Haha.

I thought that if I, the person who had a painful experience and is the last person who should be messing around, were to share information "loosely," it might lower the barrier to the stiff and serious atmosphere of "disaster prevention" and "life-saving."

Honestly, aren't "disaster prevention" and "life-saving" a bit stiff?

Of course, people might think I'm just messing around.

But if that makes people who have never been interested in "disaster prevention" or "life-saving" think, "Maybe I'll read this," then I would be happy to become a "new gateway" for them.

What I am aiming for is
"relaxed disaster preparedness" that anyone can start.

"Disaster preparedness" and "life-saving" don't have to be perfect.
Don't push yourself; just do what you can, little by little, when you notice it.
That is enough.

I aim to share information that provides insights, even if they are small.

Of course, I will speak seriously when it's time to be serious.

In this note, I will be sharing:

• "Relaxed disaster preparedness" that even busy people can do

• Preparedness that fits into parenting and daily life

• Tips to reduce regrets in case of an emergency

I will deliver these in a "relaxed" way while wearing my panda suit.

Disaster preparedness is best when you don't overdo it.

I'm heading out in my panda suit again today, nice and easy.

I look forward to your continued support.

……That got a bit heavier than I intended, so
I'll keep it more "relaxed" from next time!

＼You don't have to overdo it with disaster preparedness.／
With the theme of "relaxed and gentle preparedness," I share useful disaster tips for everyday life.

▼ I offer free training!
▶ 0 yen training fee, nationwide travel OK! A former firefighter in a panda suit will provide training for free!

▼ Relaxed Disaster Preparedness Tips
▶ "Small preparations" for daily life. For those who want to practice quickly even when busy

▼ Family & Parenting Disaster Preparedness
▶ So that families don't get lost when it comes to "discussion" and "checking in"

▼ Work and Disaster Preparedness (BCP/Business Continuity)
▶ BCP, subsidies, and risk management for companies and sole proprietors

▼ Life-saving, AED, and First Aid
▶ How-to for primary life-saving, such as AEDs and chest compressions, to "connect lives"

▼ HIRO's Story & Project P
▶ Field experiences as a former firefighter / Challenge logs, activity reports, and announcements