Quang Ngai-born engineer Huu Qui has become the first Vietnamese member of a volunteer fire brigade in Japan’s Toyama City.
Huynh Huu Qui, born in 1988 and originally from Tra Cau Ward in Quang Ngai, has lived and worked in Japan for 14 years. A structural engineer specializing in residential buildings, he previously worked in Hiroshima and now lives in Toyama with his wife and their eight-year-old son.
During his years in Japan, Qui has taken part in numerous community volunteer activities, from picking up litter in his neighborhood and cleaning parks to trimming trees and cutting down tall branches for an elderly neighbor.
In 2018, a severe storm swept through the area where he lived, disrupting the lives of local residents. Qui formed a volunteer group to help people clean up their homes and surrounding areas as they worked to rebuild their lives.
Qui joined his local volunteer fire brigade after receiving an invitation from a neighbor. Photo: Courtesy of the subject
For him, community volunteering holds special meaning. It not only gives him a stronger sense of purpose in life but also provides his child with a real-world lesson about living a useful and meaningful life.
“Japan is a country that experiences many natural disasters, including heavy rain, landslides, storms and earthquakes. Living in a country like this, you need to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for disasters. That is why I take part in volunteer activities, both to gain practical experience and to help local communities as well as foreigners living in Japan,” Qui said.
Knowing that the Vietnamese engineer regularly participated in local volunteer activities, one of his neighbors, a retired member of the local fire brigade, invited him in early 2026 to join Toyama City’s volunteer fire brigade.
Finding the work meaningful, Qui decided to apply. The fire brigade captain later came to his home personally to guide him through the application process.
Qui’s wife, Thu Hien, was initially quite worried because of the risks involved. But after seeing how strongly her husband wanted to contribute to the community, she gave him her support.
Qui, holding the fire hose, during a training session. Photo: Courtesy of the subject
In early April 2026, Qui officially began firefighter training. Every day, he woke at 4:30am to travel to the training site, returning home at 6:30am before heading to work. His normal working day lasted until 6pm, and on days when he worked overtime, he would not finish until 10pm.
“The training period was quite demanding because we had to prepare for a city-level competition between fire brigades. Every movement had to be practiced until it became second nature, and we had to coordinate seamlessly with our teammates. Every running step had to be precise to match the length of the water hose, the angle of movement and the direction of the water stream. Members also had to withstand the considerable force of the hose while spraying water for around five minutes, with water pressure of about 30kg,” Qui recalled.
An unexpected callout
Despite his busy schedule, Qui, second from left, continues to make time for patrols. Photo: Courtesy of the subject
After a month of training, Qui became an official member of the city’s volunteer fire brigade.
As a volunteer, he prioritizes his regular job and joins firefighting activities when needed and when his schedule allows. The main emergency response duties are handled by professional firefighters.
According to Qui, local volunteer fire brigades play an important role when disasters strike across a wide area. An earthquake, for example, can cause gas leaks and explosions, triggering fires in multiple locations and requiring large numbers of personnel to patrol areas at risk of fire and other hazards.
“Under the regulations, foreigners are not allowed to take part in frontline firefighting activities, such as carrying a hose directly into a fire. So I support operations from behind the front line, helping evacuate residents or interpreting for Vietnamese people when local authorities issue instructions,” Qui said.
Qui currently works from 7am until 10pm each day. Twice a month, he spends an hour aboard a fire engine patrolling local streets before handing over to the next shift. Despite his demanding work schedule, he always makes time for these patrols.
Qui with his wife and son. Photos: Courtesy of the subject
In early August 2026, a fire was reported in the area where he lives. After receiving an alert from his teammates, Qui rushed to the scene to help, only to find that nothing had happened. It was only then that he learned the callout had been a drill. It was one of the more memorable moments he has experienced since joining the city’s volunteer fire brigade.
Over the past five months, Qui has found plenty of joy in his new role: enthusiastic guidance from fellow brigade members, encouragement from city leaders, new friendships and the affection of his neighbors.
What makes him happiest is that, after hearing his story, Vietnamese friends living in Japan have also expressed an interest in joining volunteer fire brigades in their own communities. For Qui, seeing that spirit spread is deeply meaningful.
“I’m grateful that my parents and relatives have always followed and supported me throughout my career, and I thank my wife for always supporting my volunteer work. I hope I can stay healthy enough to keep contributing, wherever I may live,” Qui said.
Vietnamnet.vn
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