In early May two Rotarians from Lethbridge returned from a one week inspection tour of the 29 vehicles “Los Amigos” has driven down to Mazatlan in the past 6 years. Your editor is very happy to report that all 29 vehicles are well maintained and working on a daily basis. All vehicles are operated by authorized mature drivers, licensed, insured and are kept in sound operating condition. More importantly - each is highly valued by its community. The names of each Canadian town that donated the individual vehicle are each clearly displayed which show the local Mexicans on a daily basis that Canadians are their friends. Surely that alone has to make the “Los Amigos” project one of Canada’s better aid projects.
The Pincher Creek ambulance is being used.
The UofL Rotaract Club made possible this dramatic improvement. No wonder that Club has been awarded a prize for being the best Rotaract Club in North America and the Caribbean. Congratulations. Rotaract’s financing made these buildings possible and local Rotary connections supervised everything. So – connections work!
Below are “before” and “after” photos showing on the right the original school built of simple local materials with a dirt floor and a questionable roof. On the left is the new replacement school which also serves as a hurricane shelter for the local impoverished population. Now their children have a better chance of an improved life.
The Taber ambulance is well cared for and valued.
One of Lethbridge’s ambulances is earning its retirement to Mexico.
One of Cardston’s donations is at work.
Fort Macleod’s fire truck is still in service and will be for many more years.
Just to makes sure the ordinary Mexicans know who their friends are.
Other Pincher Creek donations enjoying a Mexican retirement.
In general Mexican firefighters receive little or no training. All Mexican firefighters are volunteers (except the one local boss in each municipality) who sort of, kind of, learn on the job. They have limited insurance coverage and very few, if any, benefits. They are courageous people and greatly respected in their locality for this.
Once again Lynn Brasnett (Past President of Pincher Creek Rotary and a Captain in Pincher Creek Fire Dept.), Chris Tomaras (Senior firefighter in the Lethbridge Fire Dept.) and Chris Carney (Captain in the Lethbridge Fire Dept.) have volunteered their time to assist in this training. Without this donation of their time this training would not take place at all. All the expenses of this training have been underwritten by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge.
For October 2017 the focus of the training courses for Mexican firefighters has been changed. The intent this October is to “train the trainers” so that training may continue throughout the year. Prior to our arrival in Mazatlan, 6 senior firefighters will have been selected to attend a pre instruction class. At this class they will be given a 2 day seminar in the proper presentation of course material. After those 2 days these 6 senior individuals will then lead the instruction of “regular” firefighters with our Albertan trainers serving as supervisors. This training course will be held at the University of Sinaloa in Mazatlan.
We hope that these changes will enable training to continue throughout the year in the three states we serve..
Throughout this past year the Albertan training team has assembled a large amount of equipment which will be given out during the training sessions. Delivery will be assisted by the Los Amigos team.