By Steve Sharp
Watertown Daily Times
HELENVILLE, Wis. —The Helenville Fire Department recently 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, said during 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 international firefighter support program.
H.I.M. is an Indiana-based organization that provides care and medical treatment for children, families and communities through its programs and sponsorships in the United States and Central and South America. It has done so since 1990.
H.I.M. 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 one way it aids communities in locations such as Guatemala.
The firefighters from Guatemala and Ecuador, many from different stations, come to the United States regularly to train as part of the H.I.M. effort, something its literature calls, “A truly unique venture of international brotherhood.” This time, the firefighters 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. 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/Ecuadorean group. The group stayed at a private residence in Fort Atkinson and trained in that community, as well as in Eagle and 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 to continue teaching and said he has been working with firefighters from South and Central America for years. Sudbrink became involved in H.I.M. training after meeting some firefighters 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 H.I.M. has been involved in training firefighters for about eight years.
This training group, whose members ranged in age from 22 to 50, was in the Midwest for two weeks.
“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, but he is always looking for more interpreters. He also noted that the training was timeconsuming for all involved.
“It’s a unique time,” he said, adding that he and his colleagues had 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 enjoyed 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 conducted in Helenville 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 were full-time firefighters and their professional techniques were 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 learned while in the U.S. He noted he was especially gratified by all of the friendships he made with firefighters during his tour.
After his brief statement, Jaramillo joined two colleagues who were manning a hose with 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 differing water pressures.
Castillo said there was an 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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