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.

HomeNewsRegion 1 News & InformationBaja California

Widdy Widdy before leaving Tecate

on . Posted in Baja California

Continuing our whirl wind mission, yesterday (Sunday March 29) we had our last Tecate breakfast at the el Mejor (www.elmejor.com) panaderia (bakery). Before hooking up the trailer we went to the first Tecate  firefighter academy which started in February and is held every sunday till Oct 09. This is a big step for Tecate as the Government will be hiring several new FFs from this class of young new firefighters mixed in with several current Volunteers. As we walked to where the class was standing at attention under guidance of an Army drill sargent, the class was practicing their goose step. When they would make a mistake they were directed to do push ups and after the second or third set all four of us ran up and joined in, Push ups at first then we learned how to goose step with the class.
 
When the class was dismissed they had 10 minutes to assemble in the classroom where the instructors, Chief Villalobos from Tecate fire, Volunteer director Capt Casillas and we were standing in front of the class. They wanted to show us a demonstration of what they are learning and two recruits were chosen  to simulate a choking victim and carried it to CPR. Done correctly, they were impressive. Finally the widdy widdy began with a speech from Chief Villalobos.
 
What is a widdy widdy you ask?  Our Liason, Ret Captain Franco Soliz always would come up with the most unusual phrases and one year when we arrived and everyone was waiting for us he coined this phrase. I don't know if its an actual word but from then on we called any ceremony "widdy widdy" We use it like it should be in the dictionary.
 
Any how, All the instructors were introduced as well as the four of us. The chief talked about another great year of training and pledged to continue the training and introduced a recent development with Tijuana were by they will be sending trainers monthly to help Tecate further develope their standard practices. Great news!  We recieved beautiful certificates of appreciation for us and those back home who have helped us this past year.  After the widdy widdy we went to our last Lunch with Capt. Marcos Garambullo and it was back to the station to pick up the trailer and on to the border.
 
I guess knowing the right people helps because no sooner than hooking up the trailer we found a Tecate Policia vehicle waiting to escort us to the front of the line at the border. Imagine Lights and sirens with our truck and trailer following through the streets of Tecate. After a quick inspection we were back in the USA. And this was just the morning. more to come.

Tags: Tecate Missions

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