Four firefighters from Mexico recently completed a two-week visit to Illinois as part of an international exchange program where they shadowed and trained with Woodstock firefighters.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District said it hosted four firefighters from Zacatecas, Mexico, who recently completed a two-week visit to Illinois as part of an international exchange program.
The visiting firefighters shadowed both the Village of Carpentersville Department of Public Safety and the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District.
The international firefighters worked side by side with local fire crews to observe emergency operations and participate in training activities, according to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
The program is designed to broaden the knowledge and experience of participants by exchanging techniques, strengthening skills and exposing firefighters to new approaches in emergency response, Vucha said.
The Zacatecas firefighters gained exposure to local fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical practices.
Woodstock fire personnel also had the opportunity to learn from their visiting counterparts, “reinforcing the shared value of international collaboration,” Vucha said.
Vucha said that by building partnerships across borders, fire service agencies not only enhance their own readiness but also contribute to stronger, safer communities at home and abroad.
“These two weeks were valuable for everyone involved. The visiting firefighters leave with new skills and experiences, and our members gained a deeper understanding of how fire service professionals operate in other parts of the world,” Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Chief Brendan Parker said.
“Opportunities like this strengthen our department and create connections that will last well beyond the exchange,” Parker said.
The visit concluded with a gathering at Woodstock Fire Station 1 where Woodstock Mayor Michael Turner and Guadalupe Mayor Pepe SaldÃvar joined members to send off the visiting firefighters.