Jerry Padilla, a firefighter paramedic, and Eric Hille, firefighter engineer, both with San Miguel Fire & Rescue, are planning to deploy to Ukraine at the beginning of April to assist in fighting fires and search and rescue in the war-torn nation, KERO reports.
The two are active in a cross-border exchange program with Mexico that provides training and gear in that country. They contacted Ukrainian officials and received approval for a similar mission in that country.
Ten firefighters will conduct a two-week deployment in Ukraine. Once there they will embed with local firefighters and assist, as well as bring equipment. And, as Padilla puts it, “Just to be there for the brotherhood of the fire service and to help people, which is what we do.”
Interest in the mission has run high.
