International Projects
THE FRIENDSHIP
TRUCK - “CAMION DE LA AMISTAD”
BACKGROUND
Five years ago, Alamance County signed a
sister city agreement with the City of Soledad, SLP, Mexico (see
www.sistercities-burlington.org).
The City of Soledad has requested that we locate any available fire
fighting equipment, regardless of how old or used. In this city of over
250,000, there is no fire department nor fire fighting equipment. They
are in the process of establishing a fire department for the first time.
In the larger metropolitan district of San Luis Potosi, with a
population exceeding one million, there are only three fire trucks, and
very limited fire fighting capability.
Two years ago, we organized a group of 9 employees from the City of
Burlington police, fire and telecommunications departments to go to our
sister city and spend a month in a Spanish language immersion program.
Our Police Chief toured the facilities there and organized the housing
and language instruction. In addition to learning language, the officers
shadowed their counterparts and learned a great deal about law
enforcement in Mexico. In the words of Nim Harris, Captain in the
Burlington Fire Department, “this experience was life-changing, and it
totally changed my perceptions of Mexico.” Nim has gone on to present
his PowerPoint presentation in fire departments all over the state of
North Carolina, as a model of interaction with the Latino community.
THE PROJECT
Our sister city especially wanted a fire
truck, but was also interested in helmets, boots, jackets, axes, or
whatever else we could find. Upon making inquiries, we understood that
there were few fire trucks available, and that we
might
have to make our search statewide. President Beth Powell was able to
locate a fire truck at an auction of the City of Charlotte, and
purchased it for $9,800. This truck was relatively new, a 1997 model,
and had low mileage - only 21,000 miles and 13,000 meter hours. The
replacement cost for this machine would be over $300,000; so, this was
quite a deal.
THE PLAN
Our plan is to raise money to reimburse
Beth Powell for the cost of the fire truck, in addition to restoring it
and shipping it to Mexico. Before the auction, the truck had been
stripped of lights, sirens and other gadgets, which we want to get
restored. We are currently in the process of getting quotes on the best
method of shipping it, whether by rail, flatbed trailer or by simply
driving it. We do have two retired firemen who have volunteered to drive
it, if necessary, and would be available in any case to go to Mexico to
offer instruction to prospective firefighters regarding the operation of
the truck. Costs for the travel of these firemen would be paid by
Burlington-Alamance Sister Cities and would not be included in the
matching fund request made to Rotary.
We entered this fire truck in four local Christmas parades, and had some media coverage with the visit of officials from our sister city, in order to promote public awareness of this project. We have also put the Rotary emblem on the back of the truck. To read an article from the Times-News, click here.
Mexico Firetruck
Project Completed
Beth Powell reported to the club today that the trucks have crossed the border and are waiting for the titles to be cleared before they make the journey to Soledad.
Photo Album of Arrival in Soledad