Oregon Fire Fighters Teach Life-Saving Skills

April 21, 2009 – Four members of Clackamas County, OR Local 1159 have left for Hanoi, Vietnam, as part of an emergency medical services development team under the authority of Medical Teams International (MTI) to train Hanoi city fire fighters in basic fire skills and first aid. Local 1159 fire fighters Steve Hoffeditz, Brandon Paxton, Josh Santos and Don Davis are facilitating the training.

The training spans 12 days and includes basic fire fighting skills, first aid, rope rescue and disaster preparedness. “The areas we visit -- like Vietnam -- are grossly underfunded and lack governmental support,” says team leader Davis. “The skills we teach truly will save lives.”

Over the last five years, MTI has developed a close relationship with Clackamas County Local 1159 and its employer, Clackamas Fire District # 1, to provide medical training to those less fortunate living in the poverty stricken areas of the world.

Local 1159 fire fighters raise money to fund the MTI trips by organizing benefit concerts and through payroll deductions.