By Krissy Waite
The Marin Independent Journal
SAUSALITO, Calif. — The Southern Marin Fire Protection District has donated a fire engine to firefighters in Viña del Mar, Chile.
The district held a ceremony in Sausalito on Wednesday to present the vehicle. Chile’s ambassador to the United States, Juan Gabriel Valdes, attended the event along with Sausalito Mayor Joan Cox.
Viña del Mar is a “sister city” to Sausalito. Last year, Sausalito Sister Cities, a nonprofit organization that began in the 1960s, arranged for several firefighters from Viña del Mar to visit Sausalito as part of a cultural exchange program.
The Southern Marin Fire Protection District had used the Rosenbauer fire engine from 2013 to 2024, Deputy Chief Matthew Barnes said.
“The engine was approved by the district board of directors to be excessed in 2024 in alignment with the district’s multi-year apparatus replacement plan,” Barnes said. “The engine will be placed onto a flatbed trailer and driven to Long Beach and then shipped to Chile.”
The Southern Marin Fire District presented the Key to Fire Engine 7 to our Sister City, Viña del Mar, Chile — a symbol of global brotherhood and shared service.
— Southern Marin Fire District (@SMFDinfo) October 9, 2025
Engine 7 will soon protect lives again at Bomberos Station 5. ❤️🤝#SouthernMarinFire #VinaDelMar pic.twitter.com/H2xaMUeBvk
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