The Official launch of (FWB BC) Firefighters Without Borders British Columbia was a great success.  We would like to thank everyone for their part in making the launch happen.  Firefighters Without Borders BC thanks its generous sponsors and partners.

       On February 5th, 6 members of Firefighters Without Borders BC will depart for a 10 day training deployment to Paraguay. This training session will be the first deployment to this South American nation and serves to begin fostering a new relationship. The team being deployed consists of 3 members of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, 2 members of Mission Fire Rescue and 1 member from the City of North Vancouver Fire Department. Training will be delivered in a number of disciplines; as well the members will each be traveling with some donated equipment to present to the Paraguayan Fire Fighters.

   On January 23rd, 13 members of Firefighters Without Borders BC will depart for a 10 day training deployment to El Salvador. The team consists of 10 members of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, 1 member from the Surrey Fire Service and 1 member from the District of North Vancouver Fire Rescue Service, the final member being a member of the board of Directors and Honourary Consul for El Salvador. The training session being provided will be delivered to not only members of the National Fire Service of El Salvador, but 2 representatives from each of; Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cost Rica, and Panama will also be participating. This only serves to emphasize the regional perspective that Firefighters Without Borders BC continues to put forward in our relationship with Fire and Emergency services throughout Central America. Training will be provided in a number of disciplines, as well the handover of the 105ft Ladder Truck and the additional Fire Engine sent in November 2008 will also take place. To date Firefighters Without Borders BC has delivered 5 pieces of fire apparatus to El Salvador, 4 fire engines and 1 ladder truck, in addition to the significant amount of fire fighter personal protective equipment and miscellaneous fire and emergency medical equipment.

                                                       

                        See video of ladder arrive at the El Salvador fire department

On January 23rd 2009 Firefighters Without Borders BC deployed a team of 12 BC Fire Fighters (Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, & Surrey members) to El Salvador in Central America. This deployment known as Engines for El Salvador (Phase II), delivered a 105ft Ladder Truck, a Fire Engine, 60 sets of PPE and a large consignment of technical rescue and EMS equipment. A four day training program was also delivered to 35 fire fighters, 27 of whom were El Salvadoran; the remaining participants were from Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica. The training program provided focused on six main areas of expertise, being: Fleet Maintenance, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Technical Rescue, Auto-Extrication, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire ground Tactics.

With the completion of Engines for El Salvador (Phase II), the total number of fire apparatus delivered to the National Fire Service of El Salvador (Cuerpo de Bomberos de El Salvador) by Firefighters Without Borders BC is five (4 Fire Engines & 1 Ladder Truck).

On February 5th 2009 Firefighters Without Borders BC deployed a team of 6 BC Fire Fighters (Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, & City of Mission members) to Paraguay, in South America. This team delivered Fire Fighter PPE and EMS equipment to the National Fire Service of Paraguay (Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios del Paraguay). Over 100 Paraguayan fire fighters (Bomberos) attended the training sessions provided by the FWB BC members covering Auto-Extrication, Haz Mat, Strategy & Tactics and EMS. The training culminated in a practical scenario at an abandoned hotel, in which 5 fire stations responded and carried operations.

Currently FWB BC is in possession of two more fire engines (retired VF&RS Freightliners 1987) and a small wildland vehicle along with additional PPE and small equipment. This will form the basis for Engines for El Salvador (Phase III) which is slated for deployment in the Fall of 2009. A training team will also deploy around that time to provide additional training to the El Salvadoran fire service as well as other Central American fire service agencies.

As an inclusive organization, Firefighters Without Borders BC welcomes and all members of the BC Fire Service to become involved. We have a wide variety of opportunities for involvement, from gear sorting & packing days, fundraisers, committee work, and of course, international deployments.

Firefighters Without Borders BC (FWB BC) is currently accepting applications from fire service personnel interested in participating in the delivery of training abroad.

Read more on this Opportunity

On Sunday October 5th @ 2:00 pm.  Firefighters Without Borders BC will present the Consul General of El Salvador with the keys to a 105 ft Ladder truck, a fire engine, a small utility vehicle and a considerable amount of fire fighting equipment donated by various Fire Departments from within British Columbia. The vehicles and equipment will be delivered, in addition to a comprehensive training program in late October 2008. Those in attendance will be treated to a visually impressive spectacular. The Seaforth Highlanders' Regimental Pipes and Drums will lead the fire trucks into the Seaforth Armoury under escort by the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services Honour Guard. Several prominent speakers will be present for this prestigious ceremony. Join Firefighters Without Borders BC and all of our corporate, community and government sponsors and partners to celebrate this event.