Just over two decades ago, when flames suddenly engulfed an Ajiic home, there were no firemen closer than Guadalajara to come to the rescue.
The incident gave presiding Chapala Mayor Alberto Alcantar Beltran the impetus to establish a local firefighting force.
On Wednesday, August 22, Mexico’s Dia del Bombero, Chapala celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the municipal Fire Department, now coupled with the Civil Protection Unit (ByCP). The occasion was marked with a ceremony at the former town hall, a thanksgiving Mass at the San Francisco Church and a dinner for members of the corps. Alcantar and several of the original firefighters attended as guests of honor.
The first fire station was a tiny two-room guard post located on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway adjacent to the Chula Vista Golf Club. It was staffed with nine greenhorn firefighters, captained by Osbaldo Sandoval, a native of Santa Cruz de la Soledad who came aboard after six years of experience as a Guadalajara fireman and paramedic. They started from scratch, with no equipment, no protective outfits, no vehicles — just a meager budget and a united spirit to serve the community.
ByCP grew little by little in all aspects. On January 1, 2006, the corps moved operations to permanent headquarters built on the Libramiento bypass. Today it runs with 30 men and women on the payroll, split up into three 24-hour duty shifts.
Their dedication remains strong, but struggles continue. They work with second-hand turnout gear and equipment donated over the years by firefighters in Canada and the United States. The fleet of used vehicles is prone to frequent breakdowns. Current director Enrique Perales is hankering for independent management of a set budget allocated by city hall.
In his report on ByPC activities delivered during Wednesday’s ceremony, Perales stated the unit has attended 4,130 emergency calls over the past three years. The corps is also actively involved in natural disaster prevention in high-risk zones, earthquake drills and safety inspections at businesses and schools and on-going training programs.
Lakeside expats are due credit for lending substantial support to the fire department since its inception. Backing Alcantar’s initiative, the late Arthur Post, a retired civil engineer, and former California fireman George Yakos were instrumental in lining up the acquisition of the first pumper truck. Although the vintage MAC model imported from the United States is now out of service, it remains on the station grounds, a monument to cross-border good will. Local Rotarians have also contributed to the cause over the years.
The Lakeside Assistance Group (LAG), formed by various service organizations in 2014, took on the task of arranging import shipments of equipment and supplies donated by Canadian firefighting outfits. The first load, sent by train and truck, was delivered in March, 2015. A larger shipment, transported by sea and land, arrived the following year. Goods were dispersed among firefighters and first responders in more than a dozen Jalisco communities. Arrangements for a third international run are now in the works.
Meanwhile, ByPC has lined up a rock music festival and customized car show to be held as a fundraiser for vehicle repairs. It is scheduled for Sunday, September 9, 1 p.m., at the Tobolandia water park. Tickets, priced at 100 pesos are on sale at the fire station, Mr. Bull butcher shops and the Barrilito store opposite the Ajijic Delegación office.