|
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
Costa
Rican firefighters trained by U.S. Force-Bravo
By
the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The U.S. Joint Task Force-Bravo's 612th Air Base Squadron is hosting a multinational firefighting exercise at Soto Cano Air Base, in Honduras, August 19-23, with the participation of firefighters from Costa Rica, as well as Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences exercise, know as CENTAM SMOKE, takes place twice a year and "provides an opportunity for all firefighters to work as a team while learning from each other's capabilities through strenuous partnership-building challenges," said the Joint Task Force in its statement. The 612 Fire Department instructors are in charge of intense fire-rescue training every year to develop cooperation skills, as well as improve partner nation firefighting capabilities and to maintain regional response capabilities. "We expect hard work, determination, a 'never quit' attitude and their willingness to be open-minded to learn how we do our job. We expect the same from my guys at the fire department. They need an open-mindedness to understand how our partners work as well," said Sr. Master Sgt. Michael Ott, Fire Chief with the 612. "Sometimes, they don't have the best tools and equipment, so we want to learn how they do their job. It benefits us in a situation when we don't have the ability to get tools and equipment, and we are in a place where we have to think outside the box. So it's really just a shared experience on both sides." Training includes safety, personal protective equipment, structural and helicopter live fire evacuations, vehicle extrication, aircraft familiarization, and wildland fires. During the initial phases of the training, the firefighters also participate in a combat challenge to evaluate and test their physical condition. Herberth Gaekl, Soto Cano Fire Inspector, has participated in CENTAM SMOKE since its initiation. "I hope their mentality towards their safety will have a multiplicative effect on the rest of their staff when they return to their home stations. I'd like to see participants leave with a smile on their faces and to share what they have learned," said inspector Gaekl. According to Joint Task Force-Bravo, this training exercise is physically demanding and extremely rewarding, challenging firefighters from across Central America since 2007. The event will conclude with a graduation ceremony on Friday, August 23rd. More information on this specialized training can be reached at Joint Task Force-Bravo site here.* ------------------------ Should more Costa Rican firefighters attend this specialized training? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
     Want to write or gripe about Costa Rica? Want to submit an event to our calendar? Send all the information news@amcostarica.com Profile pictures are welcome too ! -No defamatory pieces will be accepted. -We reserve the right to publish.   |
|
      |
