Learning from experience

Visitors and residents of Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, in Sonora, Mexico, will be a little bit safer thanks to efforts by the Surprise Fire Department.

Surprise firefighters are helping their comrades to the south by providing advanced training to firefighters from Puerto Peñasco, which they say benefits not only the fire department, but the community and tourists as well.

On Wednesday, Armando Flores, Alejandro Chavez and Jose Cruz, all captains in the Puerto Peñasco Fire Department, trained in the Surprise department's $250,000 fire simulator trailer as part of an ongoing effort spearheaded by Surprise firefighter and paramedic Martin Navarrete.

Navarrete volunteered to train the firefighters and, for the last five years, a rotation of high-ranking firefighters has traveled to Surprise to learn the latest skills.

VIDEO: Click here to watch the Surprise and Puerto Peñasco fire departments run through training drills. 

"(They are being trained) not only in fire safety, but in search and rescue," Navarrete said.

Search and rescue was Wednesday's lesson for the Rocky Point firefighters, who donned 60-pound turnout gear and then entered a smoke-filled trailer. The drill was designed to resemble having a firefighter down inside a burning building. Temperatures in the trailer can reach up to 700 degrees. A computer is used to ensure firefighter safety.

After receiving instructions from Surprise officials, the Rocky Point firefighters entered the trailer and performed the drill. It ended with them dragging the downed firefighter to safety.

"They did it perfectly," Navarrete said.

Unlike their American counterparts, Mexican firefighters do not receive emergency medical services training. To help the Rocky Point firefighters learn them, several Surprise firefighters are going to Mexico next weekend for three days of EMS training, including taking vital signs and basic first aid. The training also will include taking glucose readings.

Puerto Peñasco has 24 paid firefighters and 42 volunteers. Firefighters in Mexico are selected at a young age to enter the fire department, based on their interest and abilities. The visiting captains started their careers at either age 14 or 15. Training is done by experienced firefighters and through testing, but there is no formal training academy.

The Rocky Point firefighters said auto accidents, house fires and bee removals were their most frequent calls.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514 or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.