Metropolitan Education District

Press Release

Metropolitan Education District
760 Hillsdale Ave
San Jose, CA 95136
Revised September 21, 2010

Contact: Michelle Alaimo
Communication Specialist
(408) 723-6464
malaimo@metroed.net

CCOC Sponsors a Firefighter from Mexico as Part of The Santa Clara County Fire Chief's Association's 2010 Bombero Program

Central County Occupational Center (CCOC) will host a firefighter from Mexico as part of the Santa Clara County Fire Chief's Association's (SCCFCA) 2010 Bombero program. A total of 22 Bomberos will be hosted at fire departments throughout the county.

As part of the Bombero (firefighter) Program, Northern and Southern California cities alternate the hosting of firefighters from South America and Mexico. The Bombero Program began in 1972 and is designed to promote fellowship with the International Fire Service. Bomberos are chosen by the Mexican Fire Chiefs' Association with each participating department sending two firefighters to the U.S. for training.

CCOC will host the opening ceremony for the SCCFCA 2010 Bombero Program at 9 a.m., on October 4. Following the ceremony, the international firefighters will begin an intense week of firefighter training on subjects including the incident command system, vehicle extrication and disaster preparedness. The Bomberos will end the week with a visit to the San Francisco Fire Department's Fire Boat before returning to their home country on Saturday October 9.

CCOC sponsored a Bombero through the Los Bomberos of Northern California "Adopt a Bombero" program which asked for donations toward the $350 needed to host a firefighter for the week. Visiting firefighters stay at a participating fire department to help cut down the cost of hosting a Bombero for the week, CCOC Fire Science/First Responder instructor and Bombero Program Advisor, Phil Gonzalez, said.

This is the first year that CCOC, which has a Fire Science/First Responder Program for high school juniors and seniors, has sponsored a Bombero and it is the 4th time that the SCCFCA has hosted the visiting firefighters.

** The media is invited to attend between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please RSVP to Michelle Alaimo at malaimo@metroed.net or 408-723-6464. **