February 23, 2009
FWB BC Back from El Salvador & Paraguay
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.