Red Cross Acquires Rescue Vehicle

A new working unit specifically for rescues was acquired for the paramedics of the Red Cross by the Board of Directors, according to the president of the agency, Jorge Crosthwaite Reyes.
The President of the Board told ECOS de Rosarito that the 2001 model unit is totally equipped and that it was paid for with donations from the annual fund raising effort, which includes the social events sponsored by the Ladies’ Volunteer Committee (Comité de Damas Voluntarias) and other contributions from local businesses.

“This is another example of a promise that the Board and myself had made to improve the fleet of emergency vehicles. It allows our agency to provide first aid services more efficiently and reach people in need of emergency care anywhere in Rosarito,” added Jorge Crosthwaite Reyes.
He added that the emergency rescue units that were replaced were donated to a region called “El Testerazo” near Tecate. The other was donated to San Quintín, “it’s not that they’re broken down or faulty, but rather because we require better equipped vehicles.”

“Including this new vehicle, which cost $25,000 dollars, we now have fifteen units total. Our agency is the best equipped in Baja California for the type of emergency aid that rescue paramedics need to perform,” he pointed out.
Carlos Manuel Mendoza, the commander of the Red Cross agency, explained that the purpose of this vehicle is for the transport of specialized paramedics to emergency situations in urban neighborhoods. They include tending to victims of accidents, especially those trapped by their vehicles; also for the rescue of people that have fallen off cliffs or into rivers.
“The unit includes a tool called “Jaws of Life,” which is used to pry metal away from people that are trapped by their car. It also has ropes or lines for cliff and river rescues as well as air bags to aid in lifting heavy objects. The unit also has a power plant for when power is not available in emergency situations,” added the Red Cross commander.

He also assured the media that the vehicle would always have on hand at least two specially-trained paramedics for hospital preparedness of victims, an important component of any rescue operation.
“With this unit we will be able to expedite our services, improve our response and aid victims of car accidents of any type,” pointed out Carlos Manuel Mendoza