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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.

Tecate 2009 Mission Day 6 Part II

on . Posted in Baja California

Hardly know where to start. This was quite a day. Scott stayed at the hotel today not feeling well. First the training for the day was organized and instructed by Bombero’s De San Diego and fellow firefighters from Chula Vista. Very impressive. They had several stations set up including the Denver prop, self repel from an emergency situation, ladder bail-out, search and rescue and SCBA confidence course. Hats off to our fellow brothers from So CA. There were bombero’s from TJ, Ensanada, Mexicalli and Tecate participating.

Mark, Greg, Tocho and Morcos responded to a house fire early in the day. On the way were flagged down for a shooting. We reported the shooting (we were with the Battallion Chief Padillo) and treated the four year old girl who had been accidentally shot in the head. She did well and arrived to the hospital in stable condition. We continued from that scene to the fire which was under control before we arrived. What an amazing job the Tiajuana (TJ) bombero’s did. Four homes were destroyed but they also made an incredible stop on the fire. I can’t believe they stopped it where they did. Strong work with water shuttle ops. Latter we responded to another house fire. We were following a water tender. Were were going down hill when the tender ahead of us back fired… Greg hit the deck and screamed like a girl thinking we were being shot at. We laughed the rest of the way to the call which was a minor fire put out prior to arrival. Batt. Chief Padillo took the three of us and picked up Joel then showed us around the city. Wow what a crazy place. Tomorrow we will be more involved in the training. Keep tuned in!!!!!!!!!!

Tags: Tecate Missions

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