Oregon Fire Fighters Help Central American Town Establish Fire Department

April 30, 2008 – A small town in northern Nicaragua now has a functioning fire department thanks to the generosity of Bend, OR Local 939 fire fighters and others. Today, Condega operates with 30 active fire fighters equipped with one fire engine, turnout gear and other essential tools.

In 2004, the Bend City Council moved to make Condega its sister city. Bend Mayor Bruce Abernethy visited Condega and was shocked to learn that the closest fire department was 23 miles away. Upon returning to Bend, Abernathy immediately turned to Bend Local 939 for assistance, which led to the creation of the Condega Bomberos Project.

“We did not hesitate because we believe everyone has the right to and deserves a fire service,” says Mark Taylor, Condega Bomberos Project organizer and Local 939 member. “People were losing their homes to fires that could have been contained to one room. We had to do something.”

Local 939 knew Condega’s biggest need was equipment. In 2005, members began raising money and collecting surplus gear. Their biggest coup was finding a fire truck that was taken out of service in Richmond, Oregon.

In January 2008, Local 939 members delivered the truck, equipment and gear with the help of the Denton Program, which allows private U.S. citizens and organizations to use space on U.S. military cargo planes to transport humanitarian goods to countries in need. Soon after, Bend fire fighters went to Condega to train fire fighters there on how to use the new supplies.

“The effect was immediate,” says Taylor. “They are already responding to house fires, wildland fires and car accidents. Thanks to Condega fire fighters, lives and property are being saved.”

The Condega Bomberos Project is now focusing efforts on obtaining wildland safety gear and portable generators.