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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 Day 6

on . Posted in Baja California

The weather is starting off great this morning. Sun is out and we are excited to begin. After getting our Coffee and Panaderia we get to the central station to meet our friends from Bomberos of San Diego, Marcello Decasas, Arlo Nieto, Omar Saucedo and Alex Kane.

We have been talking with Marcello for over a year since contacting us from our website. Marcello gathered his fellow firefighters and came down to help us with the training of the day. Extrication is the topic and we have arranged a series of stations/pits that highlight different skills, and equipment we brought.

  1. Stabilization involves using the cribbing, step chocks, hi lift jacks and other resources to stabilize vehicles.

  2. Heavy Lift involves lifting heavy objects such as cars with the Airbag system we brought with us.

  3. Hydraulics involves using their amkus/hurst tool to provide extrication to vehicles.

  4. Hand Tools involves using tools that do not involve hydraulics to gain access to the patient, a good skill to have in the event of equipment failure.

To really help with the day we broke up firefighters so they were mixed. Tijuana guys and gals, Tecate, Cruz Roja were all split up and worked, trained with, and helped each other, some for the first time.

Training sessions lasted 45-60 minutes. With breaks and socializing we lasted till 3pm and were able to cut and work with 5 vehicles provided by a local wrecker. After the completion of the training we presented both Tecate and Tijuana bomberos with the New hi lift jacks and sawzalls we brought and trained with. (4 sets- 3 for Tecate and one for Tijuana) Step chocks (10 sets of 2) were distributed as well. 

Our day was not done, we were all invited to a Carne Asada (Barbeque) sponsored by Rodolfo L.M. Valtierra R, president of a large manufacturing plant in Tecate. He and his wife are very active in the community working to raise awareness of the need for support for the cities emergency services. They were showing their support for this rare mutual training between Tecate and Tijuana and hoping to encourage more in the future.

The Chiefs from both Departments along with the officials from the Brewery Fire Department and Protection civil, the federal arm of the fire service, were present. Both Tecate and Tijuana Fire Chiefs spoke of the renewed relationship between the two city departments, thanked us our efforts and and committed to continue what we began this day.   After more speeches and hand shaking the party broke up and we went back for a much needed sleep.

Today was exceptional for us. Not only did we facilitate training between Tecate and Tijuana but we began what we hope is a long partnership with  the Hispanic organization of San Diego Firefighters, Bomberos de San Diego.

Tags: Tecate Missions

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