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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Arrived in Tecate Safely

on 28 March 2012. Posted in Baja California

Day Two ended up with us arriving at Sacramento, CA. A friend and supporter has been sponsoring our visits since we began in 2000. Running behind we arrived, cleaned up and went to bed leaving at 0600 for Tecate.

At 1800, we entered Tecate passing border inspection under the guidance of the Chief of the Regional Protection Civil Fire Service and the Tecate City Fire Chief. We arrived at Station 1 dropped off the trailer and the most important thing we did tonite was to hit our favorite Taco Joint.

Off to rest for the upcoming training. Training day one , Mission day 4 will see us in Tecate with Bomberos De San Diego reps working together on engine company ops hose handling and attack strategies. Invited and expected are bomberos from Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito Beach, Mexicali and San Felipe. Day Two Tecate will see us joined by Recently promoted DC Rich Smith from Santee Fire for Engine company rope rescue, initial company ops lead by board member, Lt and Technical Rescue team member Scott Booth. Exciting two days then on to Tijuana for the next two days.

Logistics managed by our own board member Marcelo DeCasas, FF who is also a Board member for Bomberos De SanDiego our partners in the region. Update to follow.

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