Bahia - Vallarta December 2013 Training a success!

Firefighters Crossing Borders instructors from the Pacific North West area of Washington provided training to Bahia de Banderas and Puerto Vallarta firefighters during the first week of December 2013. Subjects taught included Rope Rescue, Auto Extrication, Aerial Operations and Surf Rescue.

The one day Rope Rescue course delivered by Steve Ness focused on the reaching and recovering a victim who has gone over a steep bank. The class was well attended by members from both fire departments.

The Auto Extrication training delivered by Moi Castellon and Dave Stevens focused on Safety, Scene management and Extrication of a trapped person using hydraulic and hand tools.

Aerial Operations provided the local drivers an opportunity to develop their skills in the use of their ladders trucks.

The annual Lifeguard School was again hosted by the Zachary Chambers Foundation was taught by Jimmy Canale and Laine Pepper from Surf Lifesaving del Sur and Jordan Pollack of Firefighters Crossing Borders. 28 area participants from Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas attended the three day program this year. Some local surf/paddle shop owners and employees, others lifeguards and firefighters, and this year community and hotel security members from Punta Mita. The course includes two days of surf rescue skills and one day of emergency medical skills.

We’ve been working to develop local instructors and this week provided an opportunity for them to assist FFCB instructors. Our local instructors will soon be delivering this training to their firefighters, a major milestone in our efforts to develop local training capabilities.

 Thank you to our instructors from both organizations and to Mark England for his donation of homes for our crew once again!