West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Lt. Nate Lasseur remembers the look on the face of the six-year-old boy named Enel he helped rescue from the rubble of a Nov. 7 school collapse that claimed close to 100 students.

"He was very happy," Lasseur said. "He had a big smile on his face and his eyes were just bulging out."

After removing the boy who was trapped for more than five hours following the tragic collapse of the La Promesse School in Petionville, Haiti, the Haitian-American firefighter/paramedic placed him in a truck that transported him to the local general hospital. Lasseur would try to find the boy at the hospital the following day, but was unable to.

In the days following the collapse, a dramatic photo taken by Associated Press photographer Ramon Espinosa showing Lasseur holding the boy was featured by news outlets around the world.

"I feel like God's purpose for me being there was to rescue that kid," he said.

The day before the collapse, Lasseur arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti with a much different mission. At least two times a year he travels to the native country of his parents to donate equipment to its fire service.

"(Haiti) is such a beautiful country," he said. "There is so much negative that comes out of there, but the people are so good. I have a strong passion and love for the country."

In 2002 he brought one helmet with him and from that point on he never traveled light to Haiti again.

During his future visits he would bring suitcases full of helmets, t-shirts and turnout gear with him and in 2005 he created the Caribbean Firefighters Assistance Foundation, which has since been renamed International Firefighters Assistance, Inc.

With his latest trip planned, Lasseur never imagined what would transpire that weekend when he booked his flight more than a month in advance.

The Collapse

Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince, Lasseur contacted Fire Chief Gregory Donald Williams and coordinated when he would meet with him to deliver the equipment.

The following morning, he stopped by the fire station and soon after the chief received the call alerting him to the collapse. Lasseur said they were unaware of the magnitude of the incident at that time.

He decided to join the department and observe them in action firsthand; planning on mainly serving as a spectator while enjoying one of his hobbies: photography.