BFC Ekellop's Page

Hometown:

GAVERE - BELGIUM

I Live: (City, State)

GAVERE

Years in Fire/EMS:

17

Why I Joined the Fire/EMS:

childrens dream, service to my local community, way to meet people

Relationship Status:

Married

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

BRANDWEER GAVERE

Department Type:

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Rank/Role There:

Battalion Chief / Division Chief

Years With This Department/Agency

17

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.brandweergavere.be

Second Department (if appl.)

Belgian Fireobservers

2nd Department Type:

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Rank/Role at Second Department:

Assistant or Deputy Chief

Years With Second Department/Agency

12

Web Site:

http://www.fireobservers.org

About Me:

I am BFC Paul Vanlook, a volunteer firefighter from Gavere, Belgium and the
Secretary for the Belgian Fire-Observers, a non-profit organization. We organize educational group-trips to fire departments in the USA. Since 1996, we have arranged different visits to the fire departments all over the States.

San Diego, CA.,Phoenix, AR., Dallas, TX., Jacksonville, FL., Atlanta Ga, Washington DC , Austin, Tx, Orange County, CA., San Jose, Ca., Houston, Tx, Charleston, SC, Mobile, Al, Richmond and Norfolk, Va are just a few to mention.

We are in the planning stage for our program for 2009 - 2010 and are looking for a city to visit. Our groups usually consist of 10 to 14 Belgian volunteer and professional firefighters and/or paramedics representing different cities and fire
stations through out Belgium. Two or three members of the Belgian
Fire-Observers organization accompany all group-trips; these members
provide for all the transportation needs of the visiting firefighters.

The trip purposes are to study and observe the American working methods during a ride-along program and compare them to our working methods. The importance of innovative educational opportunities to promote individual growth and career development is something we pursue. We like to stay with the fire department and sleep in the fire stations during our 7 day visit. If possible, we would like to visit and observe the local 911-dispatch center, airport fire station, maintenance facility, and training academy.

We have visited Departments since 1996 and we all had a great time over there.

It was a learning experience for both parties.

As Team chief of some groups I was able to assure that the Belgian participants had the opportunity to taste the American way of life.

Anyone can contact me if your Fire Department wants to to host a group of 10 to 14 Belgian firefighters for a 7 day stay in the fire station and a ride-along program? We can determine an exact date later.


I appreciate your consideration of this matter and hope to hear from you
soon. Do not hesitate to contact me for any additional information or
questions. You can reach me by mail at the above postal address

or by e-mail at paul.vanlook@skynet.be . or contact me on MSN : paulvanlook@hotmail.com

After every tour we publish a little summary of the visit on our website

www.fireobservers.org, so you can have a look at that if you want.

2008 will bring us to San Jose California and Houston Texas
2009 will bring us to Oklahoma City and Mesa, Arizona

Sincerely,

BFC Paul Vanlook
Acaciastraat 24
B-9890 Gavere
paul.vanlook@skynet.be

Day Job:

Belgian military

Personal Site/Profile:

http://tvfr2006.skynetblogs.be

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Education, training, fellowship

I Love Being in Fire/EMS Because:

great opportunities, get my blood pumping