Finally our whole team is here. And to celebrate, our guide Juan took us for a night on the town. We got to see some amazing things, and met some great people. Cerro De La Cruz, a huge cross on top of a hill over looking the town, was beautiful.
We meet some of the locals, including some bomberos from town, and were immediately treated like royalty. We went swimming in the same natural pool that Juan learned to swim in when he was a boy, went for supper, then spent some time in town square, where everyone seems to gather every night to celebrate life.
Tommorrow, the work begins.

So after a number of travel delays due to weather, most of our team is now settled in at the Cuerpo de Bomberos in San Gil. We’ve received a great welcome from the local bomberos, had a chat with the local press, and are now getting ready for 3 days of instruction.
Last night we met a number of the local children, who were very excited to see us, went on a tour of the City, and are looking forward to going caving this afternoon!

Muchisimas gracias a toda la gente en la Academia Nacional de Bomberos y todos los bomberos por su hospitalidad, profesionalismo, amistad y fraternidad. Para nosotros siendo este el primer programa, fue exitoso y de gran provecho. Ojala podamos continuar a desarrollar esta relacion para el futuro.

Thanks to everyone at the National Academy and all the Chilean firefighters for your hospitality, professionalism, friendship, and fraternity. Our first program in Chile was successful and beneficial for all.  We hope to continue to work together and strengthen this relationship in the years to come.

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Bon voyage, Team El Salvador, departing today for San Salvador and another great year of training and exchange with our sisters and brothers of the Cuerpo de Bomberos de El Salvador! 9 years and counting!!

Congratulations go out to FRITA Board member Jeffrey Rodd Moore on being recognized by the Government of El Salvador for over 20 years of contributing to the betterment of the country. The award was presented through the Ministry of Exterior Relations.

Jeffrey has coordinated medical teams, delivery of equipment for disabled persons, and overseen the entire development of the fire service training and equipment delivery program. Jeff has deployed with FRITA members every year we have had training teams deploy, annually since 2008.

This recognition simply touches on the great work Jeff has done over the years and continues to do in support of the people and government of El Salvador.

Congrats Jeff!

In order to demonstrate to all the partners involved in the delivery of the One World Scholarship program, a partnership between Fire Rescue International Training Association and the Justice Institute of British Columbia, with key support from the Irving K Barber Foundation, the 2015 One World Scholars will be conducting a presentation on April 9th, 2015. All are welcome, details below.

DATE: April 9, 2015
TIME: Noon-1:00 pm
VENUE: JIBC Theater, 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster

2015 OneWorld Scholarship Invitation

Also, check out the video done by the 2015 OWS. Follow the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sa-AB4i_FE

El Salvador Update

After arriving on Friday, the team spent the day sight seeing and learning more about El Salvador. On Saturday, We toured the Headquarters where we will spend the week training. Later in the afternoon, we visited Oasis Azul on and spent the day at the beach.

Sunday we toured a local Coffee Plantation and had lunch on the side of a local dormant volcano overlooking San Salvador. After lunch we took a drive to the top of the volcano and walked the trail up to look down inside.