MISSISSAUGA, ON. - For the second time a team of Mississauga fire fighters will travel to a World Vision project area in Ventanilla, Peru, on October 22 to teach the volunteer bomberos (fire fighters) auto extrication, fire prevention, first aid and hazardous materials training.  The eight  Mississauga fire fighters plan to raise money and awareness for a water program in Ventanilla.

"Our main goal is to help the emergency services in the area to help the community become more sustainable," said Captain Alan Hills of the Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services. "There are a lot of accidents in Ventanilla and the fire fighters there are ill-prepared.  If we can help prepare them they can better serve the community and become better leaders.  Most importantly, we want to give the volunteer fire fighters hope and confidence to be able to face each day."

Hills and Andrew Melville, another member of the Mississauga fire department, traveled to Ventanilla in October, 2002, after a devastating fire destroyed 200 homes in less than 15 minutes.  In an effort to help in any way they could, the fire fighters contacted World Vision and flew to Peru with the organization to help train the bomberos and teach fire safety to the children there.

On his second trip Hills wants to decrease the number of accidents in Ventanilla and enable the fire department to reduce life loss.  "The key is the strong partnership with World Vision and their projects in Ventanilla," said Hills.  "Between our training and World Vision's educational programs and water project, I think we can really strengthen the community in terms of sustainable development."

Ventanilla is one of the poorest and most populated areas outside of Lima, with 170,000 people clustered in 67 small communities living in widespread poverty.  Ventanilla does not have paved roads, running water or a sewage system. The Mississauga volunteers will donate Jaws of Life equipment to the Ventanilla fire department.  They are excited to visit the water projects, and also to visit the children they sponsor through World Vision's Child Sponsorship Program.