Puerta Vallarta Bomberos Help Their Brothers In Compestela​

If you ever wondered, if there truly is a Brotherhood between firefighters, I can tell you that I have been very fortunate to be able to witness this first hand on many occasions. In the past, it has typically been when Canadian firefighters, who volunteer with Angels For Mexico, have brought down gear/equipment or done a little training.

What we helped to facilitate, and came to fruition yesterday, was a thing of beauty. The new Chief of Emergency Services (Protecion Civil) for Compestela (about 2 hours north of Vallarta), Arturo Ortiz, has been a Paramedic for the past 14 years and a friend of AFM. He reached out for our help when he too over the position on October 1 st . The outgoing Chief had taken everything with him. Happens way too often in Mexico. Atruros team had nothing to try to help save lives with,

We are sending a container down to support a number of areas, including Compestela, but it will not get there until mid December. I reached out to the new Fire Chief for Puerta Vallarta, Gerardo Castillon. Gerardo was a Bombero in Vallarta 14 years ago when I started Angels for Mexico. After a few years, he moved on to a different municipality. We have a background and a friendship. Knowing that they barely have what is needed to do their jobs, I asked Gerardo if he could something to help his Brothers in Compestela.

The result is what you see in the pictures. Help given from those in need to others in more need. Both sides were very happy and new friendships were formed. I need to say a special thank you to my dear friend, Jorge Pena Meza, a lieutenant with Vallarta Bomberos , who is always there to help us with any project. Huge heart. He put the donation together and was there to great Arturo and his men at the PV firehall yesterday afternoon.

It has been a trying time, in the world, the past 20 months. Moments like these show that human kindness thrives in spite of other tragedies.