As follow up on the initial post-depolyment post, FRITA is providing the following synopsis: On February 13th, four Canadian fire service instructors deployed to the Atlantico Department of Colombia as members of the Fire Rescue International Training Association (FRITA) inaugural deployment to this nation. The Atlantico Department is the third smallest of the country’s departments but its population of 2,272,170 makes it one of the most densely populated, incorporating 23 municipalities.

El Ministerio de Gobernacion presento hoy la Academia Nacional de Bomberos, la cual permitira mejorar la tecnica profesional del personal de la institucion, repecto a la atencion de las emergencias.

ver video

With four Canadian instructors (Brian Hutchinson, Bob Allan, Mike Canaday, Patrick Sheeley) FRITA provided a 5-day/40 hour training program to 48 Bomberos of the Colombian Fire Service. Topics followed the Basic Fire Fighting Certificate Program outlined by the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Also covered was Wildland firefighting as seen in the photo of our first simulation and the students at work. — in Cartagena, Colombia.

Brian Hutchinson

My wonderful and supportive cousins gave us a memorable day at their gorgeous lake house at Lago de Coatepeque.  The family welcomed our team, friends and the German Ambassador.  This was the very best way to wrap up a successful week that each of us will remember for a very long time.
A special note that we had an abundance of high quality and interested translators this year (from US Special Forces to an Army Colonel and more).  Each of them said they would like to come back again to help us when we return next year.
This year marks 20 years of annual visits to CBES for me, and next year marks my 25th as Honorary Consul.  Every year, our work gets stronger and our support base and profile continues to grow.  I am so happy to be able to work with you and all who deploy with us year after year.

Jeffrey Moore

Colombia 2014: Our team of 4 instructors completed a 40 hour training program yesterday based out of the city of Barranquilla in the Atlantico State of Colombia. The program began on Sunday February 16 and finished with a day of live burn simulations on Thursday February 20. We had 48 Bomberos from the towns and cities of Barranquilla,

Completing practical reviews for any of the bomberos that had missed certain components, and the written exam that was prepared by the Justice Institute of British Columbia.
As a team, the Canadians had discussion about the relevance and transferability of some of the questions.  We are hopeful that we will have good numbers of people passing the exam (need 70%). I believe our team needs to have a discussion with the JIBC to ensure that all exam questions are relevant (and thus, fair) and useful.
I took a couple of hours in the day to attend meetings at El Salvador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

El Salvador – Bomberos practice skills – Ladders, Search, SCBA, Fire Hose and Water Supply:

The working end of this adventure is coming to a close tomorrow with the writing of the final exams. We have just returned from dinner with the Bomberos at the home of the Canadian Ambassador to El Salvador, Pierre Grioux. Amazing dinner by the pool overlooking San Salvador…very impressive!

CBES had a well attended ceremony (firefighters, guests and media) to celebrate the organization’s 131st anniversary.  Again, we met the Minister of Gobernacion, as well as the Vice Minister, and also the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.  We were pleased that the Canadian Ambassador, Pierre Giroux, was in attendance to show his support and friendship.  In each speech that was given, we were mentioned and thanked.