Lina and Rick Bleier of the Rotary Club of Montrose, Colorado recently arrived with a large consignment of donated fire gear for local bomberos (firefighters).
The Bleiers toured the Chapala Fire Department last winter with the Ajijic Rotary Club and noted the condition of the squad’s equipment. Determined to help, they contacted Allen Weese, deputy chief of their local Colorado fire department and a member of the Montrose Rotary Club.
Weese got in touch with other area firefighters, and soon the Bleiers were invited to “pick up some gear” at the Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department. They found a pickup truck loaded with heavily insulated bunker jackets, pants, helmets and wildland fire fighting gear, as well as fire retardant back packs with personal drinking water canteens to keep firefighters hydrated while fighting wildfires.
The Bleiers were initially concerned with the issue of clearing Mexican customs with their SUV and small trailer full of firefighting equipment. Luckily, Lina Bleier is a Mexican citizen and drew on her communication skills to get their cargo across the border without paying any duty.