THE EL VERGEL FIRE STATION
Campo El Vergel is located approximately 25 miles south of San Felipe in Baja, California, and is easily recognized among the many other camps in the area by its tall white lighthouse. There is no electricity and only low water pressure. Unfortunately tragedy struck in November of 1994, when a fire broke out in the home of one of our friends. A life and home were lost as those in camp vainly tried to save both by using buckets of sand and water.
Soon afterwards several of us began discussing the possibility of somehow coming up with our own fire fighting equipment. A small pumper, consisting of a tank, motor, pump and hose reel, all mounted on a flat bed trailer would be a good place to start. During one of our many trips to Rosarito Beach, we recalled seeing a large collection of unused, and perhaps salvageable fire fighting equipment adjacent to the newly built fire station in Tijuana. One Saturday morning we took a trip to Tijuana and met with officials at the fire station. We explained our purpose and were shown a piece of surplus equipment, which was exactly what we needed.
After submitting a formal letter of request for a donation to Campo El Vergel, we eventually made another trip to Tijuana and returned home with our prize. Four months later, all repairs were completed, and our 100-gallon mini pumper was ready for delivery to Campo El Vergel. A flat bed trailer had been fabricated for it by those in camp.
Not long after completing this project Jim’s interest in providing additional fire protection to our area grew, and he soon became involved in supporting the Bombero (fireman) Program of Mexico. This provided an opportunity to meet fire officials on both sides of the border and to present our proposed fire assistance program for Campo El Vergel to them.
In March of 1996, we learned that a small fire truck was going to be taken out of service and would soon be available for purchase from the Ocotillo Volunteer Fire Department near El Centro. Shortly thereafter, we made a trip to Ocotillo where we found a very impressive bright yellow Chevrolet utility truck equipped with pump, hose reel, large capacity water tank, and emergency lights. We were given a demonstration of its capability and Terie knew right then that Jim was ready to make the purchase and bring the truck home for some restoration. Over the next few months as time and money permitted the necessary repair work was completed. It was now time to determine what formalities must be completed in order to legally bring the truck into Mexico, and station it at Campo El Vergel. As we learned, the procedure for importing a vehicle into Mexico is rather complicated and requires joint inspections by both U.S. Customs and Mexican authorities during specific hours and days. After 3 days of waiting at the Mexicali border the truck was allowed to cross into Mexico. Presently, the Campo El Vergel Fire Station has 16 volunteers. We have received donations of protective outerwear, fire extinguishers, and other accessory equipment. On going training is being provided to our group by members of other supportive fire departments.
On May 28, 2000, our fire station had its first Fire Prevention Day Fiesta at Campo El Vergel. Weekend activities included a presentation of fire safety to the children at the local school, demonstration of our equipment to all who attended the event, sale of smoke alarms, and providing fire prevention bulletins to everyone, both in English and Spanish.