Pat DeLair

Opening Ceremony of GMR56 kicks off in El Rosal, Colombia.

12 October 2018

In the Western Savanna Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca, 12 miles (20 Km) outside of Bogota, sits El Rosal. Approximately 8,800 ft (2,685M) above sea level and a population of nearly 20,000 people, the Bombers El Rosal prepare to protect the city for emergencies. Global Mission Readiness has traveled to El Rosal in 2017 and this year in 2018. GMR is not only training the local, El Rosal firefighters, but also training the region. Firefighters and first responders come from all over the area to take part in training. This mission, 30 firefighters from 5 different agencies, some from up to 8 hours away, have come to learn fire control, advancing hose-lines, ground ladders, search and rescue, and firefighter safety and survival.

These firefighters have a passion to help their community, their country and each other. This is proven during the opening ceremony where all 30 are lined up, at attention, singing their national anthem, ready to take on the week. Their passion to want to learn and help their community cannot be taught by GMR. GMR has the ability to get some of the greatest trainers and provide equipment, but cannot teach passion.

The GMR teams that go to areas like El Rosal, are purely voluntary. The members take time off of work, from their families, and their lives, to selflessly provide skills and knowledge to develop these areas. At a cost to them as well. GMR assists by fundraising for transportation costs, but ultimately it is the team’s responsibility to fund their trip. GMR has no paid personnel. All the members that help GMR do it to make the world a better place, to selflessly give knowing that the seeds that are sewn will outlive all of us. GMR could not accomplish this without them.

Agencies like El Rosal, have taken it upon themselves to seek assistance in preparedness, basic training, and equipment acquisition to help their community for everyday emergencies as well as large-scale disasters. GMR is proud to help El Rosal and all of the agencies worldwide. Click the link to watch a short opening ceremony video of GMR56. The firefighters of Colombia singing their national anthem. El Rosal Opening Video

Global Mission Readiness keeps moving forward in the worldwide safety and training arena. GMR is happy to announce to continue training in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, South America for GMR’s 55th mission.

On September 19th, 2018, firefighters from Clackamas Fire and Forest Grove Fire and Rescue, specially trained in Rope Rescue will be heading to Santa Cruz to train with firefighters in Basic Rope Rescue. GMR has been in this region to teach EMS, Vehicle Extrication, Water Rescue, and Firefighter Safety and Survival. We are excited to go back to this area as the need is high and much appreciated. The area is home to over 2 million people, including areas of industry, recreation, residential, and farming on the outskirts. With the main system of water removal being canals, first responders from the area struggle to safely remove trapped victims and animals from the canals before flash flooding occurs. The skills, knowledge, and equipment that GMR will bring, increase safety, efficiency, and truly saves lives.

The team is made of up volunteer Ryan Patrick (CFD), Shawn Mullen (CFD), Rick Ilg (FGFR), and team leader Patrick DeLair (CFD). GMR is also excited to have photographer Juliana Patrick accompany the team and document the trip. Juli is a well-respected photographer and videographer in Portland, OR, USA.

Return trips to areas like Santa Cruz are exciting for GMR because we build on previous trips, test the skills and abilities from previous training missions, and build lifelong friendships around the world. Our collaboration breaks down cultural barriers, provide the education and resources to help save lives by teaching first responders how to help themselves, help their communities, and their countries. To learn more or to get involved, follow along on Facebook and Instagram and our website at Global Mission Readiness. You can learn more about Juliana Patrick by visiting www.julianapatrick.com

Global Mission Readiness is off on its 54th trip. 

Volunteers for Global Mission Readiness (GMR) are headed to Lima, Peru to teach a basic rope rescue course. While this is not GMR’s first time to Lima, Peru, it is the first time training with the host agency, Proteccion Civil Internacional (PCI). PCI is volunteer responders from around the region that assist Peruvian National Police and Peruvian National Fire Brigade with technical rescues such as rope rescue.

The need is constant in this area of Peru. With many opportunities for tourist in the region, buses are one of the main modes of transportation. The roads of Peru are windy and as you can imagine very scenic due to the Andes Mountains. There comes a danger with windy, mountain roads though. Bus crashes happen all too often down steep embankments. Having well-trained responders to quickly and safely, respond and provide aid will save more lives. Like most remote and rural communities, having good first responder aid that can affect rescue and provide treatment until definitive care is necessary for any region. This class focuses on basic rope rescue including safe anchor points, basic knots, lowering and repelling systems, and raising systems. Every GMR class has portions on basic first aid and rendering medical aid, this one is no different.

Agencies from all over the area will be in attendance. Some of them are new to rope rescue and some of them have skills that will be able to augment the instructor’s information. The instructors are all career firefighters that work on technical rescue teams for Albany Fire Department. Albany, Oregon is located approximately 80 miles (128km) from Portland, OR, USA where GMR is located.

Led by team leader Carly Shears, who could not accompany the team on the trip. Tom Henke and Shannon Baker have participated in GMR missions before. Mike Hurley and Tim Verdun round out the team. Tom and Shannon have participated in missions to Africa. This is Tim and Mike’s first time as volunteers with GMR. GMR is looking forward to continuing relationships in Lima as well as building a new one with PCI. 

GMR sends 5 volunteers to Lima, Peru

In May of 2018, volunteers with be headed to Lima, Peru, South America to teach Basic Rope Rescue Techniques. Let by Global Mission Readiness and Albany Fire Department Firefighter Carly Shears, this will be GMR’s 7th time to Lima. However, this will be the first time training with Proteccion Civil Internacional (PCI).  Shears will be joined by fellow Albany Fire members Shannon Baker, Tom Henke, Tim Verdun, and Michael Hurley. Baker and Henke have traveled to Africa with GMR in the past. This is Verdun and Hurley’s first time traveling with GMR.

Like with most GMR missions, Train-the-Trainer format will be used. The team has asked to gather responders from different agencies all over the region to train with. While differing skill levels are always present, basic information is presented then built upon. Getting agencies together from around the region also builds stronger relational bonds while working together to increase public safety. Ultimately, the goal is to save more lives and equip more responders.

To learn more about this trip and follow along, Follow GMR on Facebook and Instagram where trip updates will be posted. You can also donate to this trip by going to the DONATE tab and selecting PERU.