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By Steve Sharp with photography by John Hart, both of the Watertown Daily Times staff.
HELENVILLE - The Helenville Fire Department this week hosted seven firefighters, or “bomberos,” from Guatemala and two from Ecuador as part of a program to train the South and Central Americans in fire equipment usage, safety and techniques.
Martin Castillo, a Helenville firefighter, told the Daily Times during Tuesday afternoon exercises outside the Helenville Fire Station that his wife became acquainted with opportunities for hosting the training program after traveling to Guatemala recently as part of the Hearts In Motion (HIM) international firefighter support program.
HIM is an Indiana-based organization that provides care and medical treatment for children, families and communities through its programs and sponsorships in the U.S., and Central and South America. It has done so since 1990.
HIM also provides opportunities for individuals to participate in short-term mission experiences. According to its Web site, the organization works to complement resources already in place, while respecting the culture of those with whom it has contact. Firefighter training is an aspect of how it aids communities in locations such as Guatemala.
The firemen from Guatemala and Ecuador, many from different stations, come to the U.S. regularly to train as part of the HIM effort, something its literature calls, “A truly unique venture of international brotherhood.” This time, the firemen visited fire stations in Indiana, Wisconsin and Chicago, and were trained in modern techniques of battling blazes.
“We make sure they know personal safety and how to use the Jaws of Life, the hoses and how to basically dress properly for the emergencies they will face,” Castillo said while he supervised the foreign firefighters in their maneuvers in the wooded park next to the fire station.
Castillo has been a firefighter in Helenville for 15 years. He speaks Spanish, so he assumed the duties of translator this week. Two other interpreters from Costa Rica were also present.
“I speak Spanish and I am a firefighter, so we have some common bonds,” Castillo said, adding he worked with the Guatemalan/Ecuadorian group since Sunday. The group stayed at a private residence in Fort Atkinson while here and trained in that community over the weekend. On Monday, the group learned in Eagle, Tuesday in Helenville.
“In Eagle, they were working on how to get dressed in turnout gear and air masks,” Castillo said. “Then we did some water work and checking of pressures on nozzles.”
Dennis Sudbrink is assistant fire chief in Eagle. He was in Helenville this week to continue teaching and told the Daily Times he has been working with firefighters from South and Central America for years. Sudbrink became involved in HIM firefighter training after meeting some firemen on a trip to Guatemala a few years ago.
“These guys who are out here today are some of the higher-ranking firefighters at their departments,” Sudbrink said. “Hearts In Motion wants to train these men to be good trainers themselves. Then they can bring information back and teach others to be better firefighters.”
Sudbrink said HIM has been involved in the actual training of firefighters for about eight years.
“Before that, they didn't know what firefighting was,” he said of the Guatemalans. “We've made quite an impression on people living in a Third World country. They have a long way to go, but they have come a long way. The enthusiasm these guys have is amazing. They really want to learn and they are good at it.”
The foreign group, whose members ranged in age from 22 to 50, is in the upper Midwest for two weeks. Tuesday was their last day in Wisconsin. They are going to Chicago late in the week, then returning home.
“They are having the opportunity to take part in the volunteer training here and then they get to experience the city training from a full-time firefighter's perspective,” Castillo said. “They will stay at the fire station in Chicago and may even go on a call.”
Castillo said communication was only a minor problem this week but he is always looking for more interpreters. He also noted the training is time-consuming for all involved.
“It's a unique time,” he said, adding he and his colleagues must work to coordinate work and family schedules to accommodate the rigors of conducting the training. Castillo is an auto mechanic by trade.
“This is the first time Helenville has been involved in this program,” Castillo said. “It is a full-time commitment and we have to make sacrifices in terms of work and family. We will take this one year at a time. This is the first time our fire chief has dealt with international firefighters, so I am hoping for a good experience - and so far it's been good.”
Ray Madison, Helenville's fire chief, said he was enjoying his interaction with the bomberos.
“It's great to pass your talents on to fellow firefighters. It's kind of exciting,” he said, adding that water exercises that were being conducted in Helenville Tuesday could never be held in Guatemala, due to water shortages there.
Amidst an almost constant mist of water from fire hoses, Castillo said some of the visiting men are full-time firefighters and their professional techniques are similar to ones used in the U.S.
“So getting the messages across to them is basically the same,” he said. “They seem to very much enjoy their time here. They are laughing any time they get a chance.”
Through interpreter Castillo, Javier Jaramillo, a bombero from Ecuador, talked about some of the things he's learned while in the U.S. He noted he was especially gratified by all of the friendships he has made with firefighters here during his tour.
After his brief statement, Jaramillo joined two colleagues who were manning a hose containing 100 pounds of water pressure. With Jaramillo, the trio progressed forward as a team, spraying toward a mock fire. The goal of the exercise was to teach teamwork, and to allow each man to understand what the others were experiencing in terms of safety, physical exertion and the vagaries of different water pressures.
Castillo said that, although Jefferson County-area firefighters had been providing the formal firefighting education to the South and Central Americans, there was a pleasant exchange of ideas and much good will.
“I love it,” Castillo said. “I learn something from them. There's no selfishness among them and although they are from different fire departments, after the trip, they will be like brothers. It's gratifying knowing we, here in Wisconsin, can have a little part in their training. We will be lifelong friends when this is done.”
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