Just before noon, the closing ceremony for the Second International Training in Jamundi began.  Some of the participants had already left as they have many miles and hours to drive to return home.  The farthest that we know of drove 25 HOURS to spend time with us in class.  Is that desire or what?  Wow....and we have people in our country who complain if they have to go to class on a day off! 

 

Again we were surprised by another action from the Bomberos of Jamundi.  All OESP in attendance at the Second International Training in Jamundi were presented with the Knight of Fire medal.  From what we are told, this is the highest medal that can be presented to any firefighter in Colombia.  Needless to say, most of us were totally speechless at receiving such a high honor. 

 

This year, each participant received their certificate and a very nice T-shirt for attending class.  Commandante Sierra and the other organizers went all out with providing the most they could to those who participated.  Once all the certificates were passed out, we were able to provide donated T-shirts that we brought with us to each participant.  Each also received an American flag and a couple of really nice postcards of the Twin Towers that once graced the skyline of New York City.  Thanks, Dave, for providing the lion's share of "goodies" this year!  We then "raffled off" several other items from pliers, to wire cutters, to DVDs, to "Rescue Me" tools.  A lot of fun was had by all.  Directly after the closing ceremony, many Bomberos left to head back home.  Yeah...it was sad to see them go, but then there will be next year when we see them hopefully again.

 

Of course, none of this would be possible without a group of top-notch, "go with the flow", flexible, and patient volunteer instructors to work with.  As usual, timing doesn't always work the way we think it should or things don't happen as expected.  It takes a different breed to help out on these projects and this year's group was truly beyond exceptional.  Bill Whitney, Mike Stanley, Dave Gibbs, Bill Klein, Rick Norwood, Hannah Dummer, and Dave Solano....there is absolutely no way that this would have been possible without your incredible efforts, talents, and desires to help out those in another country.  And thanks to OESP volunteers who remained state side as well as family members of trainers who went to Colombia. Again...this year has been a pretty wild ride and I can't think of a better group to do it with.  Hopefully we'll see all of you...plus a few more that fit the mold for what we do....and we'll complete the Third International Training in Jamundi" in 2007. 

 

Jamundi Fire Fighters and OESP volunteers...you are all fantastic!

Phew...the completion of all courses has arrived!  It's been a long week....but definitely a lot of fun.  I think all of us agreed that this year's participants have been exceptional and much information has been passed on, things tried, and successes seen.

 

In Automotive Extrication, Dave was running out of vehicles to work on.  So...he took the car (see the picture) and had the class figure out how to fold it in half.  Those were pretty much his only instructions and within a relatively short period of time, the back wheels were nearly touching the front wheels.   All of this accomplished with a hack saw, hi-lift jack, and a come-a-long.  Pretty amazing...to say the least....the ingenuity that we see each year.

 

One interesting thing noticed today was a Japanese engine company that arrived in town.  For a brief moment, I thought for sure I was back in Cambodia!  A very nice little machine and obviously well cared for.

 

Participants were asked by the Valle de Cauca Bomberos to fill out an evaluation form covering several topics.  Sound familiar?  I thought it was a good idea and what a way to also find out what type of classes they would like to see next year! 

 

Around 10:00, I was taken out to meet with all of the various chiefs of the Valle de Cauca.  They were having one of their monthly meetings and I thought we were invited out to see how OESP can assist the Colombian Bomberos in the next year or so.  Instead, OESP was recognized for it's great effort in assisting the Colombian Bomberos by providing equipment and superior training.  Again, it was stated that OESP is recognized as an accredited training program for Fire/Rescue/EMS.  We were presented with an amazing plaque and the accompanying resolution to go with it. 

 

Tomorrow will be the passing out of certificates and various other goodies.  This part should be fun as it was a blast last year.