enes

About Baja California

Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North Territory of Baja California. It has an area of 70,113 km2 (27,071 sq mi), or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises the northern half of the Baja California peninsula, north of the 28th parallel. The state is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Sonora, the U.S. State of Arizona, and the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez), and on the south by Baja California Sur. Its northern limit is the U.S. state of California.

The state has a population of 2,844,469 (2005 census), and estimated 3,165,776 (June 2009) much more than the sparsely populated Baja California Sur to the south, and similar to San Diego County, California on its north. Over 75% of the population lives in the capital city, Mexicali, in Ensenada, or in Tijuana. Other important cities include San Felipe, Rosarito and Tecate.

Baja California is where it all began, our visit to Tecate in 1999 started us on our path. We began working with the city of Tecate and the Bomberos from around the state. We have been working to bring agencies representing millions of citizens in the State together for more collaborative training and operations. Where borders were distinct and rarely crossed there is now more mutual assistance and development of resources. 

In 2009, we began working with the group Bomberos De San Diego, a group of San Diego Fire firefighters that work in the area doing similar work. We partnered to bring training to Tecate initially and eventually worked in Tijuana Bomberos and were able to organize regional training at both Tecate and Tijuana inviting bomberos from around the area. Today, being one of the largest Cities in Mexico,  we regularly rely on these Bomberos to assist us in our training.

Day Three Baja 2011

on . Posted in Baja California

Day three of our mission started with shift change at Station 29 San diego fire. After saying our thanks for the hospitality and a cup of firehouse coffee off we went to a relaxing breakfast and computer catch up. Scott has been loading pictures on our Facebook page which we encourage to be checked out. Being much more computer savy, he is blogging several times a day so it is the most up to date.

After Breakfast on to Mexico where we crossed over around 1300. After unloading at Tecate Central Station , we spent some time visiting old friends and catching up on happennings. Tecate has a new chief  Cesar Vitali, who is actually an old chief. He has been a Firefighter for Tecate for over 32 years and was chief 3 years prior.

Off to comida we went and met more old friends and chatted  about the upcoming training. Scott and I visited the locations for tomorrows training and since our program is scheduled for tomorrow we finalized our plans. Over the next 4 days Us and  8 instructors from several So Cal Departments, and including instructors from Tecate and Tijuana will converge on Tecate and provide training much needed and for the first time planned and implemented to build a regional program.

Look to our Facebook page for up to date pictures as well as Scott Booths face book page. Become friends and receive our updates.

The day begins early tomorrow and we have a long day ahead. Tomorrow Scott and I are teaching Vehicle Extrication with the two Hurst Jaws of Life  tools we brought with us.  Marcelo and Arlo from bomberos De San Diego will be teaching hose handling and tactics in a abandoned commercial building. Update to follow.

Accepting Donations

We need your help to continue to be able to serve our brothers in need. Please consider making a donation.

Non Profit

Firefighters Crossing Borders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Tax ID #: 33-1148556.

Supported by

Logo
Logo

Mailing List