Portland
Bomberos Latinos
Saving lives across Latin America — delivering world-class firefighting training and equipment since 1999.
Where It All Began
The Portland Bombero Program got its start in 1999, when then Chief Ed Wilson asked Firefighter Jose Troncoso to accompany him to Guadalajara as a translator. Together with the Portland/Guadalajara Sister City Association, the City of Portland and Portland Fire had donated a Fire Engine to the Guadalajara Fire Department.
"Bombero" means "Fire Fighter" in Spanish, and for the past 17 years we have been providing the latest firefighting and rescue material produced in the United States, translated into Spanish. The training we provide has saved lives — not only the lives of the citizens of Guadalajara and the surrounding community, but the lives of the bomberos themselves.
Although we've done 44 international trips, Guadalajara, Mexico has been by far the biggest recipient of the program.
Portland Fire & Rescue training team in Guadalajara
World-Class Training,
Delivered in Spanish
Training topics have included Rapid Intervention, Incident Command, Vehicle Extrication, High-Angle Rescue, Wildland Firefighting and Hazardous Materials, to name just a few. In all, they've received training on over 28 topics — translated not only into Spanish, but tailored to be relevant and applicable in the communities they serve. Building materials, construction, the metric system and differences in infrastructure all play into the equation.
Rapid Intervention
Life-saving techniques for firefighter rescue in emergency situations.
Incident Command
Structured command systems for managing complex emergency incidents.
Vehicle Extrication
Specialized rescue from vehicle accidents using advanced techniques.
High-Angle Rescue
Rope rescue operations in vertical and high-angle environments.
Train the Trainer
Instructors are the first admitted — equipped with DVDs to train their own personnel.
Hazardous Materials
Safe handling and response procedures for hazmat incidents.
The program consists of three trips annually to Mexico and other countries. Trainings consist of 40 hours in Spanish — including both classroom PowerPoint presentations and practical application on the drill ground. Instructors from Portland, TVF&R, Hillsboro Fire, Thurston County Fire District 1 and FDNY have all participated.
Equipping Every Firefighter
Since they only had 40 SCBAs for the entire department, most firefighters had to enter the toxic fire environment without one. We were able to sell them 283 used but functional PF&R units for the price they would have paid for 7 new ones. Now every firefighter in the city is equipped with this vital tool.
First Thermal Imaging Camera in the country — already used in 3 rescues
283 SCBA units sold at a fraction of new cost — equipping every firefighter in the city
Radiation detection equipment including meters and dosimeters
Laptop computer, LED projector, digital video camera and rescue devices
Fire Engine and Ladder Truck — now in active service at a Guadalajara fire station
9 bilingual personnel deployed to the Pan American Games for EMS support in 2011
In the Field
Countries We've Served
The Bomberos Latinos program has reached firefighters across Latin America and beyond.
Support the Bomberos Latinos Program
Help us continue delivering life-saving training and equipment across Latin America.
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