Albany Firefighter Joins GMR

Jake Gartland Will Travel to Peru to Teach Water Rescue

(28 Aug 2010 - GMR) Firefighter Jake Gartland will be undertaking his first volunteer assignment with Global Mission Readiness in September for the upcoming training mission to Peru. Jake has worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Oregon for Albany Fire Department Station #12 for the past three years. He is very much looking forward to this trip and is eager to pass on his knowledge to others in the profession.

Jake and his fellow colleagues will be teaching water & rope rescue skills to firefighters and rescue workers in and around the community of Caraz in Northern Peru.  In addition, several firefighters from the city of Cusco will be attending the training.  It will be GMR's second mission to the region this year.  Due to many accidents in ravines and rivers, several of which involve large passenger buses, it is imperative that the emergency responders of Peru have the appropriate training and resources at their disposal to mitigate the situations.  This session will not only give them some very helpful techniques, it will also stress responder safety, teamwork and improvisation utilizing the resources and equipment available to them. 

Jake Gartland and his wife Ashley currently reside in Hillsboro. Ashley is a freelance writer that has just authored her first cookbook, “Dishing up Oregon”.

All of our volunteers spend a great deal of time away from their families using their personal vacation hours to help those in need.  All aid missions are funded through donations or out-of-pocket expenses.  To help make this trip possible for Jake and his crew, please click here to donate.  GMR is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.  All contributions are tax-deductible.