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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.

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Mission to Tecate Day 3

on . Posted in Baja California

We entered Mexico at 0930 Sunday morning. Marcos, the new chief of the Tecate Bomberos met us at the border with Retired captain Franco Soliz, the Firefighters Crossing Borders.org representative in Mexico and several other officers. Inspection was a formality of checking the proper papers and off we went to the fire station.

Once there we parked the Trailer in the apparatus bay for the unloading Monday morning when the Mayor and public officials will accept the donated equipment for the Fire Department and the City. The Items we brought are designated for several organizations and shortly after our arrival we were able to meet with two of the organizations and present the supplies. First, the Cruz Rosas (Red Cross) medical service came by and we presented medical supplies, donated by US medical services and a private citizen. The benefit to the citizens will be will be great as the local Doctors use them to save lives. Later, Rescate Condor Association Civil (local Search and rescue), A volunteer organization accepted ropes and assorted hardware which increased their capability to provide their service immeasurably. Until we presented them with 300 ft rescue ropes the longest rope they had was 150 ft. Just another case of discarded usable equipment continuing its service life. After a late lunch with the Chief and a short siesta we proceeded to explore the city. We stopped by the station and ran right into a medical aid. A patient had been in a serious motor cycle accident and as happens all too often he was brought in a private vehicle to the station.

The firefighters were out on another alarm and the one firefighter who remained for dispatching was sure happy to see us. We sprung into action and we didn’t miss a beat.  We assisted the lone firefighter and had the patient assessed and packaged by the time the BLS ambulance crew arrived. Of course Scott went with the patient who was delivered to the local medical clinic. Whew! Tomorrow or today if we can't find internet access is our presentation and Training. Talk to you soon. Enjoy the pictures we uploaded.

Tags: Missions

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