LangfordB次元官网网址檚 old fire truck has made it to Mexico and was quickly put to use battling a blaze that involved approximately 500 vehicles and 300 motorcycles at an impound lot in Cabo San Lucas.
The fire happened earlier this month, just after a team of Langford firefighters finished training with their Mexican counterparts. As part of Langford Fire RescueB次元官网网址檚 ambassador program, four firefighters officially made the trip and were joined by Fire Chief Bob Beckett, Langford Mayor Stew Young and another firefighter, who each made the trip with their families.
B次元官网网址淪o there was quite a collection,B次元官网网址� Beckett said with a laugh.
The by the local department after roughly 25 years in operation. Langford council agreed to donate it and the Cabo department was one of the first that came to mind because of their connection through LangfordB次元官网网址檚 ambassador program.
B次元官网网址淚t was late getting across the border, we had some challenges,B次元官网网址� Beckett noted, but it was put to good use. B次元官网网址淭he firefighters really appreciate the truck B次元官网网址� This is a very small composite department doing it basically on the backs of donations.B次元官网网址�
Our first photo of Langford's retired engine with Chief Juan and some of his firefighters. They are extremely pleased with the new addition.
B次元官网网址� Langford Fire Rescue (@LangfordFire)
The Cabo department, mostly made up of volunteers, serves a population of roughly 400,000, Beckett added. B次元官网网址淭hey do 4,000 calls a year; theyB次元官网网址檙e very busy and itB次元官网网址檚 just about service B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 just an amazing perspective.B次元官网网址�
As Beckett told the story, Fire Chief Juan Antonio Carbajal FigueroaB次元官网网址檚 inspiration to get into firefighting started after being exposed to a fire at just six years of age. Chief Juan, as the Canadians call him, would ask to be trained at the local department every year while growing up, but they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 take him until he turned 19. When he was 16, a call came in for a horrendous structure fire that claimed the lives of two children. Juan believed he could have made a difference at that fire had he been trained. B次元官网网址淚t just fuelled his desire to become a member of the department,B次元官网网址� Beckett said.
Today, Chief Juan has a program for children age six to 18 to get them involved in fire service. Roughly 100 children meet every Saturday to train in one of three streams that include search and rescue, lifeguarding and fire protection. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like a cadet program, itB次元官网网址檚 absolutely amazing,B次元官网网址� Beckett said, adding these children are a valuable resource in the community with their specialized training.
The Mexican departmentB次元官网网址檚 connection and service to the local community is something that leaves their Langford counterparts in awe. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots to learn, especially because of who this individual is B次元官网网址� Even at my stage in my career, I consider him a mentor,B次元官网网址� Beckett said.
Langford Assistant Chief Geoff Spriggs added the ambassador program isnB次元官网网址檛 just about technical training. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot more depth there, you learn a lot more than just firefighting B次元官网网址� The relationships that are being built are things we can follow up on,B次元官网网址� he said.
ItB次元官网网址檚 also about seeing the bigger picture.
B次元官网网址淎 typical Canadian tourist wouldnB次元官网网址檛 see the other 95 per cent (of Cabo). This is a way of seeing that and personalizing it,B次元官网网址� Spriggs said. B次元官网网址淕etting families involved strengthens their connection with the department back home. That creates tolerances and understanding and itB次元官网网址檚 another way to participate in another community B次元官网网址� We donB次元官网网址檛 have to use (what we learn) internationally, we can use it two communities over.B次元官网网址�
While Spriggs had to be in Prince George during this trip, his wife, Sarah Vardy B次元官网网址� sheB次元官网网址檚 part of the Langford departmentB次元官网网址檚 critical incident stress management team B次元官网网址� flew to Cabo from Europe to do some parallel programming. She worked with some of the other family members on community outreach programs that took them from orphanages, to community kitchens that feed hungry children, to conducting stress management workshops with local firefighters.
B次元官网网址淭he Chief in Cabo is such an inspiration B次元官网网址� he never stops, he never gives up,B次元官网网址� Vardy said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the biggest thing IB次元官网网址檒l take with me is his sense of community.B次元官网网址�
She also heard that Chief Juan was a big fan of opera, and as a professional opera singer, she put on a fundraising concert in Mexico that drew approximately 150 people.
Despite it being her third trip down, she noted, B次元官网网址淚 always feel like I leave a little piece of me behind, but I bring a piece with me back to Langford B次元官网网址� I love it.B次元官网网址�
