Paramedic-turned-filmmaker shares suffering of Nepalese 'family'

Filmmaker Allan R. Smith went to Nepal in 2012 for inspiration, working on a movie about an attempt to climb Mount Everest. After seeing the devastation wrought by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake there this past weekend, Smith packed his bags for a return, this time to leverage the skills he learned as a paramedic and firefighter.

Smith is president of Cary-based DreamQuest Productions and a trained first responder for whom the images from the other side of the world have hit close to home.

Smith described the help he got from the locals as he shot "Eight Summits: The Bill Burke Story." He wants to return that favor for the production team, especially Darwa Sherpa.

On Monday, Smith was able to Skype with Sherpa.

"Bill and I were thinking about coming over and helping you guys," Smith told him.

Sherpa quickly made a list.

"We need relief material, medical kits, blankets and medicine. These are the needs of the hour," he said.

Smith has already filled out necessary paperwork to help with relief in Nepal. He could get the call any time.

In the interim, Darwa Sherpa had another request.

"At this time, what the Nepali people need is prayer," he said. "You can always pray."