Guatemala 2013: Day 1-2
Sunday, August 11, 2013
REDS began another mission to Guatemala yesterday, leaving RDU at 0600 to spend eight days working with the Unidad Humanitaria De Rescate and the Bomberos De Guatemala on Advanced Rescue and Firefighting techniques. The trip was sponsored in part by the US Government, and would have been impossible to arrange if not for the efforts of Silvana Ayuso, the Vice-President of the Paramedics For Children charity.
We are also indebted to the following companies for providing equipment that was used for training and then donated:
- Sterling Rope: Static Life-safety Lines for training and donation
- Tech Trade: Fire and Rescue Gloves for all class participants
- Image Builders and Screen printing of Clayton, NC: Team shirts and children’s shirts for donation
Our team this year consists of a varied range of talent from multiple agencies in North Carolina:
- David Pease: Chief, REDS
- Team Leader
- Lead Instructor
- Helicopter Operations
- Luke Steele: Captain, REDS
- Team Leader
- Lead Instructor
- High Lines / Rigging
- Gary Allcox: REDS
- Floating Instructor
- Security / Safety
- Jason Jordan: REDS
- Lead Instructor
- Lowers and Raises / Rigging
- Christian Olson: REDS
- Lowers and Raises / Rigging
- Derick Reinhart: REDS
- Lowers and Raises / Rigging
- Kirsten Steele: REDS
- Logistics and Media
- Interpreter
- Chuck Webb: REDS
- Helicopter Operations
- Chad Autry: Fayetteville Fire Department
- Lead Instructor
- Vehicle Extrication
- Kevin Boulden: Rocky Mount FD
- Fire Operations
- Dail Hernandez: Wilson Fire Department
- Fire Operations
- Interpreter
- Gary Thomas: Fayetteville Fire Department
- Vehicle Extrication
- David Thompson: Wilson Fire Department
- High Lines / Rigging
- John Winstead: Nash Community College
- Lead Instructor
- Fire Operations
The trip on which we have embarked represents a wonderful opportunity for both parties involved. For us, it means that we are able to travel to a beautiful country to work with extremely dedicated men and women striving to maintain peace and safety in their nation. For those here in Guatemala, it means that they are able to learn from experienced instructors. We are all elated to be here renewing former friendships as well as establishing new ones. Our hope is that this trip will cement the goodwill we accumulated on the last trip here in 2010 and possibly provide more opportunities in the future to train firefighters and rescue students in Latin America.
As we touched down in the Guatemalan airport, we were stunned by the size of the city and its beauty. Introductions at the base included many smiles and significant appreciation from both sides. Everyone on the base has been incredibly courteous and helpful, for which we are grateful.
Today was spent in the beautiful city of Antigua. According to Silvana, our guide and the primary coordinator for Paramedics for Children, Antigua is the most popular location in Guatemala for international visitors. We visited El Cerro de la Cruz, which overlooks the entire city and is adorned with a beautiful cross. The visit was definitely enjoyable and when we returned to the base, we put together the final details of training for this week. We are certainly looking forward to the ceremony tomorrow and the start of training with our Guatemalan compatriots!
