More Equipment for Bahia arrives!

On June 28th 2013 FFCB's 3rd shipment of vehicles and equipment arrived in Bahia de Banderas. FFCB members worked for over a year on this shipment which included:

1. 1987 Spartan Van Pelt type one fire engine purchased from Friday Harbor fire department WA with funds donated by the Russel Family Foundation of California.
2. 1983 Pierce International type 3 fire engine purchased in California with funds provided by the Punta Mita Home Owners Association in Bahia de Banderas.
3. A 2002 Ambulance donated by a private group in California.
4. Bauer Air Compressor donated by an Oregon fire department.
5. 70 sets of turnouts, 2 Hurst Jaws of Life, hose and a lot of more.

Most of the small equipment included with this shipment was acquired, organized, and loaded onto the Friday Harbor fire engine by regional representative Jordan Pollack and volunteers in Washington. Once loaded it was transported by flat bed to Phoenix. Along the way the transport company picked up the Air Compressor in Oregon. The California fire engine was also transported to Phoenix and the Phoenix fire department provided a safe staging area for the vehicles and equipment.

Once the importation permits were in place a team of four Bahia de Banderas firefighters and two mechanics drove to Nogales Mexico. The director of Bahia de Banderas Protection Civil y Bomeros, Alfonso Ramirez and FFCB regional representative Brian Singleton flew from Puerto Vallarta to Phoenix and worked with Phoenix firefighters to ready the vehicles for the trip south. One of the Bahia firefighters drove their 3 ton truck up to Phoenix to pick up the Air Compressor.The Phoenix fire department also provided additional surplus equipment and lodging for the team.
We crossed the border and headed south after logos were placed on the vehicles and much of the equipment on the engine was transferred to the 3 ton truck. Our caravan maintained a slow but steady pace without stopping except for fuel. Drivers rotated...it took 32 hours to reach Bahia de Banderas. Everyone was very excited but tired!
Thanks to all those involved for making this shipment possible!