“Mis Primeros Pasos”Fire Prevention & Life Safety TrainingDominican Republic

From May 19, through May 31, 2009, NAHF representative Antiliano Estrella of Providence Rhode Island Fire Department and member of IAFF Local 799, trained an estimated 200 Fire Personnel in the “Mis Primeros Pasos” fire prevention program. This program is the NFPA’s “Learn Not to Burn” program in Spanish. The training took place in four municipalities in the Dominican Republic; San Pedro de Macori, El Seibo, Barahona, and San Francisco de Macori. San Pedro de Macori was the first NAHF International Chapter established in 2007 in Dallas, TX.

Most Fire Departments in the Dominican Republic have a Junior Firefighter program that builds discipline and prepares youth for a career in the Fire Service. Firefighters representing 13 Fire Departments and the Red Cross took advantage of this training. “The training was very successful and has inspired participants to train others in the program” stated Antiliano Estrella, “The training was a huge success and helps the NAHF reach its goals of keeping or communities healthy and safe.”

The NAHF would like to thank President of the NAHF Domincan Chapter Carlos Tomas Ramos, General Carlo Varelo, General Luis Esmurdoc, Chief Javier Garcia, Chief Jesus Corpal Arias,  Chief Jose Antonio Perez Gomez, and Battalion Chief Federico Matos for planning and coordinating such successful training programs throughout the country of the Dominican Republic.

The NAHF would also like to recognize F/F Antiliano Estrella (center white cap) for his dedication, sacrifice, and leadership. It is because of members like him the NAHF has a bright future.

2009 NAHF InternationalTraining ConferenceMiami, Florida USA

Los Bomberos of Northern California23rd Annual Toy and Food ProgramAssist 500 Families

Click arrow above to view 2007 program

San Jose CA - On Friday December 12, 2008, Los Bomberos of Northern California will be hosting its 23rd Annual “Bombero Holiday Toy and Food Program.” Hundreds of family and friends of Firefighters will wrap new toys for children of less fortunate families in Santa Clara County. This year’s program is projected to assist over 500 families. As in past years, the program is hosted by Los Bomberos of Northern California and supported by the San Jose Fire Department and San Jose Firefighters Local 230.

“Los Bomberos of Northern California”, was founded in 1972 by two Stanford Firefighters who wanted to promote the Latino culture within the fire service. The two original goals were to increase Latino representation in the fire service and provide guidance and support to those pursuing promotional opportunities. Today, they recognize their responsibility as role models and leaders in the community. As a result of this distinction, the goals of Los Bomberos have grown to include “Commitment to Community Service.” This commitment is reflected in the various events they have coordinated and supported over the last 35 years, which include:

· Annual Holiday Toy and Food Program
· Cesar Chavez Family Vision, March and Celebration
· Walk-a-thon for Latinas against Breast Cancer
· Earthquake Preparedness Programs
· Paint-a-Thon (Painting homes for the elderly)
· Firefighter Recruitment
· Bilingual Fire and Life Safety Education Programs
· Scholarships for Students Pursuing Higher Education
· CA State Fire Chiefs Assoc "Bombero Program"
· Training to Firefighters from Mexico, Central, and South America
· Development of National Bilingual Certification
· Leadership and Professional Development
· Mentorship and Role Model Programs
· Int’l Support of Construction of Homes and Churches

These are the types of initiatives that have sustained the organization for over 35 years, recently culminating with a special “Congressional Community Service Commendation” from the Congress of the United States, House of Representatives.

Posted by: Lizzetth Bellot, NAHF Consultant

2009 Hispanic Firefighter Calendar

The Dallas Hispanic Firefighters are very excited to introduce the 2009 Hispanic Firefighter Calendar. Proceeds from the calendar will benefit the Parkland Burn Camp, the Julio Alvarado Memorial Fund, and the Dallas Hispanic Firefighter Association (DHFA) Scholarship Fund. Each year the Parkland Burn Camp hosts kids who have been hospitalized with burn injuries for a week of fun in a caring setting. The Julio Alvarado Memorial Fund supports the family of a dear member of our department whose life was tragically cut short by a drunken driver in November 2007. The DHFA Scholarship Fund provides scholarships every year to well-deserving high school students. Our mission is to raise money for various charities and raise awareness for fire safety & education. Please visit our website at www.hispanicfirefighters.net to view pictures or purchase. Thank you for your support.

NAHF SupportsRainbow Valley Fire DepartmentChildren’s Fire Safety Education Program

The National Association of Hispanic Firefighters is committed to changing the grim statistic that fire is the second leading cause of accidental deaths among children under five years of age. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, NAHF has promoted community educational and advocacy programs to reduce the loss of life.

Rainbow Valley Fire Department (RVFD) has requested the assistance of the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters (NAHF) in promoting RVFD Fire Education – Spanish Language Program. RVFD is currently offering a fire education program in English and is in the process of translating this curriculum to Spanish.

RVFD Fire Education is a new children’s fire safety education program teaching children (pre-K to 3rd Grade) fire safety, fire prevention and what to do in case of fire. This program is currently being taught by fire personnel and teachers in the US and Canada. The program combines DVD video with instructional curriculum to facilitate each lesson. The instructional DVDs run about 10 minutes. Each lesson plan can be taught between 10 and 20 minutes. The videos do a great job capturing children’s attention and each lesson has various activities to ensure kids understand the important content of fire safety. This program is very up-to-date and was featured in Fire Chief Magazine as one of the top new products of 2007. Fire Departments and Public Education Officers are implementing this program across the United States and Canada with encouraging results. To learn more about RVFD visit http://www.rvfdfiresafety.com/.

The NAHF is requesting your assistance in this project by providing RVFD your feedback regarding the following:

1. Please visit their web site at http://www.rvfdfiresafety.com/ to review and evaluate. Each education episodes are posted on this site for you to preview.

2. The purpose of this request is to gage how strong interest is in having this program available in the Spanish language. This will validate production and potential distribution of RVFD Spanish Language Version.

3. Please email your comments to Mark Brown at: mark.brown@rvfdfiresafety.com and for further questions and additional information, please call Mark at (913) 754-8357

Thank you in advance for your support in enhancing child safety.

Sinceramente,

National Association of Hispanic Firefighters

Posted by: Lizzetth Bellot, NAHF Communications Director

Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) Passes NAHF Resolution toGather Multi-Lingual Data

L/R - NAHF President-Alberto Olmos, CFSI-NAC Chairman-Kevin O'Conner,
and Past CFSI-NAC Chair-Richard Patrick

Washington DC - On Friday, April 4, 2008, the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) unanimously passed a resolution submitted by the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters. This resolution encourages all emergency responders to collect multi-lingual data encountered during emergency responses. The resolution was passed in our nation’s capitol, Washington DC.

Alberto Olmos, President of the NAHF stated, "This resolution is a tool… A tool to help Fire Chiefs, Fire Service Leaders, and Elected Officials, address the multi-linguistic challenges in the Fire Service. Data collected can be used to support funding in regards to training, staffing, and multi-lingual fire prevention programs" Below you can click on the resolution and read it in its entirety.

Posted by Lizzetth Bellot, NAHF Executive Assistant

NAHF Joins US Fire Administration in"Smoking & Home Fires Campaign"

Lt. Raul Castillo speaking to the press at the
"Smoking & Home Fires Campaign" Kick Off Event
Lt. Raul Castillo, Greg Cade and Mark Light

Washington D.C.--Executive Vice President of Public Relations, Lt. Raul Castillo joined US Fire Administrator Gregory B. Cade and IAFC Executive Director Mark W. Light in kicking off the new U.S. Fire Administration "Smoking & Home Fires Campaign".

The NAHF is helping to promote this new campaign in an effort to decrease the number of home fires which are smkoing related. These fires are all preventable and kill approximately 1,000 people every year. This new campaign aims to reduce the number of fire deaths among smokers and those who live with them.

We are urging smokers to Put it Out. All the Way. Every Time

Fore more information or to download campaign materials visit: www.usfa.dhs.gov/smoking (English) or http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/espanol/fumar/ (Spanish)

Posted by Lizzetth Bellot, NAHF Executive Consultant