PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – In a remarkable show of international camaraderie and goodwill, the Pend Oreille County Fire Department of Washington state, United States, has gifted a vital set of emergency response equipment to the Puerto Vallarta Civil Protection and Firefighters (CPFB). The donation, facilitated through the American Legion, was warmly received by local authorities in a ceremony held at the central base of the CPFB.
Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez expressed deep gratitude, stating, “Gratitude is a gift that multiplies when you share it with others.” He emphasized the significance of the American Legion’s ongoing support and the importance of the gifted fire truck, saying, “Puerto Vallarta is home to the American Legion and we always feel they are an important part of our community. Rest assured that it will be well used by our institution, to safeguard the integrity of Vallarta families.”
The gifted vehicle, a four-wheel-drive Ford F-SuperDuty truck, is equipped for urban rescue and rapid fire attacks. Also included in the donation are personal protective gear for structural fires – boots, helmets, gloves – and autonomous breathing equipment, critical for battling structural fires and handling dangerous substances.
Gerardo Alonzo Castillón Andrade, Director of Civil Protection and Firefighters, explained the importance of the donation, highlighting how it significantly boosts the department’s capabilities and reinforces their commitment to safety.
Dennis A. Ricke, a member of the American Legion Post 12 Puerto Vallarta-Bahía de Banderas, received recognition from Mayor Michel. Reflecting on his past as a firefighter, Ricke expressed his joy in helping secure the vehicle and equipment for Puerto Vallarta.
The process of procuring and transporting the donated items was dubbed ‘Operation Southern Blaze.’ Mark Ford, Director of Operations at Convergence, a non-profit supporting American veterans, led the initiative.
Local councilors Pablo Ruperto Gómez Andrade and Diego Franco Jiménez, along with municipal officials and CPFB personnel, were also present to mark the occasion. This generous donation underscores the spirit of cooperation and solidarity between nations, directly impacting the safety and well-being of Puerto Vallarta’s residents.
