WAUKESHA, Wis.-- Although they perform their jobs thousands of miles apart, firefighters from Waukesha and nine of their counterparts from Guatemala learned Wednesday they have much in common.
The Guatemalans spent time a several Wisconsin fire stations through the auspices of the Hearts in Motion organization as part of a two-week trip through the Midwest. They had visits planned to firehouses in Illinois and Indiana.
"I am happy I have had the opportunity to come and see the American firefighters," Edgar Ramirez, a firefighter from Guatemala City said through interpreter Monica Rosas, of Hearts in Motion. "I have really enjoyed the classes."
Ramirez and the other Guatemalan firefighters spent part of Wednesday in lectures and some hands-on training with the Waukesha Fire Department.
In the afternoon, they each took a trip skyward in the Fire Station No. 1 platform truck's 100-foot ladder.
"I wish we had the same technology at home," Ramirez said after his experience.
Ramirez has been a firefighter in his home country for 27 years, the last 15 working at headquarters.
Vincente Cabrera has been involved with a volunteer fire department in Guatemala City for 11 years.
"The education and some of the equipment is the same and the personal security on staying safe is the same," he said, comparing his home department with those here.
"I did learn a new way to ventilate an area," Cabrera said.
German Rodas, a veteran of 32 years in the fire service of Guatemala City, said the country has 124 fire stations with 1,300 men and women serving as firefighters.
Through the years, he has seen many changes, including women becoming firefighters and the addition of training to become paramedics and increased technology.
Deputy Chief Jesse Alba of the Waukesha Fire Department said Wednesday may be the first time the department has provided training for foreign firefighters.
"We were able to share incident-management ideas, and search and rescue techniques," he said. "We were also able to share common experiences of what we do and why we do it."
Republished with permission of The Waukesha Freeman.
