And we are back

As many you have guessed I am now on my way back to England. 2 weeks out here has been amazing and really enjoyable. I have been accepted by the Bomberos station 14 (apparently as they were teasing me) and Captain said that I could come out again any time! I think it's safe to say I will and I will go out lots of times.

So the last day? Let's say I finished in style!

The morning was bad! We were due to go to see Feline but the chief was worried that a foreigner would not allowed to go into the air base (I know this makes no sense as I had been in 2 days before, they didn't care in fact the man wanted to see a white blonde female). So I was left at the station with no drivers so unable to go out! Having walked to the metro to get some bits I settle in for a snooze. Captain gets back and gets sent out straight away! When back again we go get food.

Now for those people who helped me raise money, we were due to spend it. We had an idea that one of the guys tht was hanging around station today was a pharmacist and out here it all depends on how much discount the pharmacist wants to give you! As its all for them we got a hefty (95%) discount so the money goes a lot further! Because of this we were not able to get the medicines for them but be assured Captain will send me a picture. 

So I mentioned leaving in style? Let's explain. There was a gas leak and I had convinced Captain to go with me to it as it is the last job for me. This turns out to be a full camping style cylinder of gas leaking. This happens a lot and they have to hose down the gas cylinder until empty to disperse the water. This took its time and the truck had to be refilled a couple of times. Post this we head back and get changed to go back to Captains. Another calls comes in. Captain chucks me a jacket (bearing in mind I'm in plain clothes) and off we go. It's a shooting! Shot in the leg by a (as Captain tells me) a .22 calibre. Has maybe 500ml blood loss and going into shock. There is people, police and cameras around. We get in the ambulance and go! Get to hospital, clear up and Captain gets a text from his girlfriend who said we were on TV! So yeah we head back, i have had my trauma so happy. but is this enough? o course not! As we are driving back out rescye truck suddenly is behind us and we have been flagged down for an assult. we take a look, even though we arw lut of service, and there is quite a bit of blood around. This one had been stabbed 4 times and there was evidence of defence wounds on the hands. Someone had a bad intent here, as twice in the chest, one in the neck and one in the leg. 

We get treatin and get another ambulance to take him. We finally head back (we were about 4 blocks from the station) pick up stuff and go. 

Bearing in mind it's now very late, and I haven't packed. Packing done, 2 hours sleep and a dash for the airport. As I am writing this I am about 5 hours into a 12 hour flight, trying to watch the movie that is on but cannot because the lovely couple in front of me are having a lovely romantic time!  

I will be at the minimum in Madrid when this is posted. When settled in England I will post again to sum up my trip to Peru And add a few links that I need to add for you guys. 

I have a question though, do you want me to keep blogging when back in the UK about life as a 4th year student and stuff? Leave us a post or email (samanthadsweet@gmail.com) and give me your thoughts. If I don't know you I would like to hear from you, if I do know you, well love to chat.

Until England

Nearly last day

So today was my penultimate day. I have 2 days to catch up on, here goes.

Yesterday we actually made it to the ladder truck. I have mentioned this before and this time we actually made it! After an earlish start (I say this because I get up earlier for work), we head to station and then the air base where the ladder truck is kept. As you also know, I have nicknames for trucks. This one I am calling the feline. Why? Well it's because of what Captain said when he explained the truck to me. They've had this truck for a few months now, and it was donated to them from Canada where they no longer used it. Being in Peru, the men has a competition to see who could fix the most on the truck. They have used the truck operationally a few times however all they have rescued is cats, hence Feline. May I also add that Feline makes the beast look like a kitten! 

So this truck needs work. It needs de-rusting, sand papering and painting. After this all the bits inside need fixing. Captain has discovered that the ladder works though and had a play. Due to certain issues we are going back for a few more hours, with a spray painter, and show the professionals how to do the job properly. 

This took several hours up. Post this we were doing another night shift (an my last) in the fire house. Nearly 36 hours after starting I am still here! In this time, we have been busy. Captain sorted out his office and I responded numerous times. By numerous I mean about 8 yesterday alone, and considering there is only 200 cAlls in the whole of Lima that is impressive. There was still nothing interesting.

So this morning I did miss all the calls that were good. Due to general tiredness and finally suffering from the foreign water syndrome I missed the most interesting call of the whole 2 weeks, which was gutting as it was the type of call I wanted to experience out here. 

After the driver of the day having to take a little time out to sort his normal work, we were left non operational for a while. Italian finally took me to get something that I have wanted to get for a little while. Back to station and more calls. And apparently being attacked by Spartan, who is being a pain today. I still want to take him home.

Well these last 2 days have been very easy to sum up. The ambulance has gone off to assist in some football match so we are out of service. A gentleman has turned off what I had on TV and put the football on. And now to get away, I shall nap.

Tomorrow is my final day, and myself and Captain need to tie up the loose ends. This includes spending the money some of you guys helped me get, having another afternoon at the firehouse and seeing the ladder truck again. 

These 2 weeks have gone so fast and it has been an amazing experience. Little note to mum; I don't want to come home

Adios 

Monday morning madness

So what am I doing this fine Monday morning? Why I am mopping up water with a dustpan and brush. So Captain's flat has flooded again, the first time being just before I came out to Peru. Captain had been awake since 4am mopping up the place, apparantly stealthly as Ididn't hear a thing and woke up to have a flooded room. As fate will have it, the corner of the room where my phone was charging and on the floor was up hill so remained dry. Now captain is fixing things and I am writing this.

Comedy moment over, I have noticed I haven't posted all weekend. The weekend has been interesting to say the least. I am finding more people that speak English, and every one can speak English a little better. I have spent 2 nights in a row at the fire station. The first being friday night. After responding all night we went and done other days and came back and spent another night. Because one of the drivers who are actually paid is on compassionate leave, Captain is having to step in to drive over these nights. Saturday, after our day helping peoplestudy for exams, reading and telling stories, we went back to the station house to find it all locked up. Captain had a 7am run so we kind of had to be at the station. The 3 shutters were down and the door locked from the inside as the normal lock was broken. A man who also showed up (blind drunk and stumbling everywhere) also couldn't get iin. After him ringing the doorbell many times to no response, Capptain decided he might have a screwdriver to take the window out to get us in and he can fix it (When you live in Peru, you learn many thingsin terms of DIY from fixing a fire truck, to fixing the boiler as I have now seen him do both).A higher rank man turns up at this point with a remote control and opens it for us.

So yeah that was that night. After a couple of jobs and a few hours sleep (or not sleeping) the next day arrives.

Captain goes for this run that takes several hours as he is babysitting the teenagers that can't complete it and I play on the ambulances more. After 4 or 5 jobs, a failed attempt for the firefighters to wake me up for breakfast Iam up, showered and fed. Captain's friend that took me to central Lima has said he will take me to Miraflores market and do the whole touristy souvineer shopping. Due to circumstances he could not make it so I settle in to watch Ice Age as there is no vehicles in service. Another friend of Captains, who is from here called Italian as he tells us many times he is part Italian but can't get an Italian passport, offers to take me to Miraflores and have a wonder. He helped me get the touristy bits (all but 2 small things), showed me the beach shopping centre, came for food with me and showed me the beach. Many hours later we return to Captain's house. Now, half of my stuff is now at the fire house. The door to the girls bedroom was locked by the girls and they had all left. That stuff abandoned until today I head to sleep. Cue the beginning of this post with the water, sleeping through the mess,waking up to wet floors and very luckily no wet things.

Now that most of the water is gone, Captain has decided to give up and get a plumber to fix the boiler so we can have hot water so we can head out to play with big BIG trucks and the rest of the day.

Here is some photos to keep you amused whilst I go out to play.

Being a tourist

I am well over half of my time out here and so it was time I played tourist. Captain's friend was my personal guide for the day to show me some sites of central Lima. 

The way went a little like this.

First in the only style of Peru, taxi to the centre. First was a very beautiful church. Beautiful isn't strong enough the detail was so impressive and the height of the altars was unbelievable! Many pictures later we moved onto an art gallery. The space seemed wasted, knowing that it used to be a bank. Very minamalist for the space there was! Better use would be a museum or something. Hey, why not a museum of Los Bomberos. There is enough history to fill the space.

Talking about Los Bomberos, after a quick look at the cathedral and the presidents house, we went to the first and oldest fire station. It was amazing to see that it was started in 1866. Here, I saw more old ambulances and more history about the firefighters. These guys really need to write a book about the complete history. Captain has told me there is one being written and I have to say I would quite happily buy it! It really is interesting! 

Later aswell we went to the catacombs of Lima. These are the tombs many important people were buried. As well as information about the Congress there was a tour of some of the catacombs. It is safe to say there was more bones than anyone could count! 

After a quick look around some of the market, time to head back to the station. After relaxing for a little while it is time to Don the jump suit and start work. That said since I got back 6 hours ago no emergency Has come through to any stations! 

Today really has been very touristy and I have enjoyed it. There is nothing I can joke about or anything so it is a little boring. Those of you who are blessed to see my photos on return to England will see some of the history I have mentioned here, those not there is a really good website and I encourage you all to have a look at some of the history of Peru, if you can get it in your own language not Spanish!

Www.google . com

Have fun , I am 

Career under consideration...

I'm in the wrong job!
As mentionec before there is a new dog that was rescued about a week ago now. He is only a puppy. The ,guys here called him Spartan.
Spartan is a typical Peruvian male. As Captain said, he is either hungry or horny. He has definately been both! He decided he didn't like me this morning, and decided to scratch and bite me if I even walked anywhere where he could get! After a while I got bored and brought him treats and a chew toy. Later, we went out again to get him a collar (red of course! No other colour would do) and a ball to play with. After a good 4 hours of chewing his toys he is now normal and not attacking me! I definately need to be a dog trainer. On a side note, in the shop we went to there was a litter of new puppies and I fell in love with one and gutted I can't have him!

Back to the real life. I am getting a good number of calls today! And really learning and enjoying it here. Surprisingly, there are 3 or 4 people who have good English and no body knew until the English lass turns up. Even so, I do find the language barrier frustrating, especially when you know that the patient is fine and needs some gentle girly encouragement and will be fine.

I dont't really know what to write about the last day, not much has happened. I have been on several jobs, been to hospital a few times, come back. In the morning there was a large fire. Everyone (literally) went to it in 2 trucks and that left me there with the cleaner. I am not allowed to play on the fire enginces as my speciality is health. I used the time wisely though to go upstairs and nap. The guys there (and girls although there are very few) are being good, inviting me to join them for lunch, encouraging me to go out etc. Captain was off doing what a Captain needs to do, so Iate (ironically chinese) with the men. I did the whole needed more milk, went to the petrol station, went to get some money out too (I have money on a cash passport), and the machine swallowed my card. Knowing Ihave another account linked to it and the card is safe at the flat, I cancel the card and all is well. At least i know ATMs are hungry, no matter where in the world they are.

Later, the guys wanted to make use of the nearly Paramedic that they have been looking after. IThe station had a meeting of all the 1st chiefs and 2nd chiefs of all the stations in Lima. The 2nd chief of all of Lima had something in his eye, and asked me to take a look (it took longer to try and understand what they wanted!). Half a syringe full of water he is happy.

I have a text from mum today saying have Igot enough money. Now, I wasn't sure how much I would need to loaded a US dollar cash card with more than enough and can get money out in their currency (Nuevo sol). What I hadn't realised is how cheap it is here! An example, A packet of 20 malborough cigarettes in England would cost, what, £7.50 ish? I am sure my cooperative friends will correct me the real price but its near enough. Here, they cost 8 Sol. To give you an idea, this is less than 2 pound! 1 pound is about 4.8 sol I think!. However, some things aren't cheap. A bottle of Peruvian wine would cost about 5 pound (I haven't actually had any alcohol since the plane!) And the well known brands a little more. However, on that note, anyone want anything cheap?im taking orders....

I'm learning.

So I am learning quickly now that I am in day 6 (Already?!).
1) All males think the same, whether human or not.
2) The bigger the fire engine the smaller the rescuee (more on this another day)
3) Sleep light and run.

Iam back at the fire house  and spending another night here and responding during the night. Captain has been taken off his lead and is allowed to come out today (in other words, not been sent to help other people out) so I plan to be very involved.

There are a huge number of differences between their ambulances and ours. Here are a few;
In England, ambulances generally are big yellow trucks with blue lights and lots of noise. There is lots of room in the back and there is all the equipment that I need (well, normally). Here, they are white transit vans with something that says ambulance and has red flashy things and also make a lot of noise. This is where the simalarities end. Inside, there is barely enough room to move as the stretcher is there. The equipment is limited and has its money worth of use. Put it this way, sometimes here you have to take üse once" as "this is the first use for this patient. Next time we meet them we shall use another one."
Nothing is done in half measures aswell. If you are called out, it is genuine. So this is the capital for Peru. There is about 200 calls per day. Lets take another capital of another well known country. They recieve 6000 a day, and most don't need hospital.
That said, Peru ambulances still have better suspension.

Back to the day. Its only 7pm here so my day is just beginning. After many story swapping between me and captain, we end up at the station house. Captain has to fix the green monster (rescue unit) as it STILL has a hole in it. Although Captain is not due to work until 7, we are here. As I was wrtiting this we get a call... someone intoxicated. Some things never change!
So I am leaving you here and learning more spanish. Ishall update on the night tomorrow.

I shall leave one thought though. Los Bomberos are not heros, they are normal people who think they are spidermen (They all have webbing which they throw over a balcony and tie on for a quick escape).

Buenas noches.

Parade and pool

Ok so I hope you have found this entertaining, Captain certantly has! Day 4 has provided a lot of waiting around. The Pippers have made Captain go and do several things that have taken him all day. The  poor bloke hasn't even been able to sleep much!
Waking up on the 4th day I was greeted to no ambulance and no fire engine. As Captain was sleeping the total of 3 hours he could have I wasn't able to go out. It turns out The Beast never returned post the "big" fire but kept getting sent elsewhere. The ambulance was out for the third time that night! Anyway, there were a load of people around in shorts and T-shirts. Part of the training is to do a sunday 7k run. After parade (Kind-of. My sister in my volunteer role, who I hope is reading, should teach them properly!), they leave. So I take advantage of a looong hot shower and writing yesterdays blog. They return several hours later and Captain naps. We all get lunch (nice fried chicken) and they are sent again on an event that they were on yesterday. Upstairs, there is a group of people practicing BLS (more like everything to become an ETA!). So, of course, I go and watch a few of the scenarios.
Now throughout my time being at the station house with people who don't speak English, naturally I have been learning some Spanish (If you know me, I did Spanish GCSE and waned to learn properly since). Apparantly, I am not that good. I went to the local mini shop, asked for any chocolate without nuts, and get presented with 4 types, Three have nuts! I go for the fourth which is fudge (which I also don't like)! Really, I wanted to get these mint oreo type things! Returning I play more games of pool, loose them all and just chill. There is no trucks out as there is no drivers! The rescue truck (now to be called green) is broken.leaking (green) coolant over the floor. Earlier, they tried to fix it with an egg white (Captain really needs to write a book about the "101 bizarre uses of eggs") and it didn't work. When Captain gets back we decide not to have another night in the fire house and head back to the flat.

Now, day 5 is more eventful. The day starts by chilling at the flat for a little while hearing stories about Captain in the varying countries he is from. If I learn nothing in these 2 weeks, I do know this:
-Don't get on the wrong side of Captain
-Don't pull a practical joke on Captain
-Don't come to Peru and graduate as a bombero.

So captain can make phone calls that relate him directly to the planes. He has threatened me with if I pull a practical joke on him, he will divert my plane elsewhere and not the UK. Understood.

I know we are going elsewhere today, not to Los Bomberos, although I don't know much. Iguess we shall see.

A new colour uniform

I am slowly catching up. Because I decided to write this after I started I was a little behind. The plan is to get day 2, 3 and 4 written today!  

So, day 2. Today was not eventful. Captain had to sort bits and pieces out so that he could babysit me for the 2 weeks. This means he can work from home. What did I learn? The channels on TV that are in English and the book of game of thrones is as good as the TV programme. I wasn't abandoned though! We went for a walk to various shops and of course I am now in possession of 3L inka cola! Captain then had 3 hours of classes on a course he normally teaches (?!) and then back to the station 202 (nearest to Captain's house). Guess what? The fire engine still doesn't work! After much tinkering with it Captain is semi-happy. 

This is a good time to mention how the station numbers work. The station number is the order what they were formed. So, Captain's is 14 so the 14th formed. He also informs me this is 120 years old! The one near his house is 202, only formed in October. Not all stations are still working and each station has a "two-tone" that is the same as an English call sign. So how do I know the difference (bearin in mind I cannot tell the difference between cola and diet cola)? Well, lots of running from the men. Simple! 

So next is day 3. This starts with a (cold) shower and packing to spend the night at station 14, Captains station. A taxi across and many broken conversations later I am cleared to go play on the ambulances and given uniform! There is one condition, I have to go out with someone who speaks English, or at least has a good grasp of English! So, naturally, only Captain. There are many people walking in and out, and so many hands shaken and cheeks kissed (it is custom to greet people as they arrive and leave). Remember, this is a volunteer role, people have jobs aswell. 

Another dog comes bounding up to me. This was a dog rescued 2 days before, and still have attitude problems. The staff call him "Spartan." 

These volunteers have money to play with now thanks to all the kind people who helped me raise some. We went to buy adrenaline from a pharmacy but thy had none! So we went to the shop to buy food for everyone. So, knowing the luck of me, what happens? A call. Food dumped and a spring back to station and jump in the ambulance. My first call. This gentleman turned out to have drank industrial strength ethanol. I ask Captain why and get the answer "maybe because he is Peruvian?" For them medically minded, he was unconscious and had right bundle block (we know this thanks to the equipment I took them." To them not medical, he is ill. A trip to hospital, much waiting around and looking at ECGs later, back to station.

Captain has more duties to do so disappears for a few hours. Meanwhile, I play Peruvian pool and have conversations via google translate. At about midnight, there is another call. This is reported as a "big fire" and so there are 5 fire engines and an ambulance (only so I can go play) dispatched. Captain is driving. This fire is a little smoke from a window. We return back and sleep. 

So that is day 2 and 3. Please don't feel you have to read these, I started this by writing my own notes from Peru and Captain thought it was a good representation of life in Peru, so I agreed to write them here. 

Tune in later (well, morning for you English folks) for day 4! 

Photo: at "the fire." 

No rest for the wicked!

So there is no rest for the wicked! I landed in Peru at 6am local time (6 hour  behind the UK) and was  picked up by Captain (for those who dont know this is  my friend in Peru) and taken to his  flat by taxi. The streets  are chaotic to say the least. Traffic is  worse than London, you have to get close to car  or you will not get anywhere. In addition, no one wears seatbelts ! No wonder why I have heard about so many fatal accidents in Peru! When in the flat there was sleep for an hour.  

The day started by going to the closest a tation to Captain's home. As Captain is good at mechanic , it was his task to try and fix the only fire engine there. Although the station is less  than a year old, it is worn down and not built well. A layer of dirt covers the station and furniture that also covers the whole of the 

country. A station dog is there who was  rescued by the staff before. He has his toy shoe that people throw for him. Guess what I done for a few hours? Captain has diagnosed the issue with the fire truck and as a result needs to return to his own station to get the tools to fix the issue. 

We head to the shop to buy a drink and bottled water for myself. A Peruvian drink called Inca Kola seems to be very popular here! Not sure what it is but it does taste amazing. Goodies bought we head across  to Station14 - the station that Captain is the chief of operations for. I am treated to a guided tour of the place. First, this place is much bigger and better built than the other station. There are several trucks, most of which need fixing. 

One ambulance out the back needs a new engine that the station staff are making themselves  in a workshop out the back. Speaking to Captain he advises me that he wants to build a new 2 story workshop to work in. They have the plans and are now in need of the equipment and materials. Again the gentlemen at the fire station 

will build this  themselves as it is too expensive to hire people in. Next was the fire engine . First, a 1952

 Bedford that was  shipped to Peru from the UKwhen it was  made. This has  been restored and painted red/white to match the others. This  is  not in service but will be donated to a museum that will look after it. 

There are 2 working fire engines. One that I will always refer to as  "the beast". This  truck is  enormous! So much so that if stood next to it I do not even reach seat height! I know I am small but really?!  This  can hold 4 tonnes of water and is the most common and newest truck. The other truck is the "favourite." This truck is the one people like to drive. Although smaller, the truck handles better and is more reliable. It also sounds  more like a truck than the Beast. There is also one operational ambulance. The kit on the ambulance is minimal and some items that we take for granted in the UK are reused. It is cramped in the back, with just about enough room for a Paramedic and the patient. I was then shown around the station. There was the recrational area which housed a TV and some sofas  to relax and socialise. Attached to this was  a little "study" where a computer and a radio were kept. There is a fully stocked first aid room where non-emergency patient  are able to come and are given pain medicine  etc.

 This  area has their defibrillator machine that currently has no 12 lead function as it needs to be purchased. Above this is the Captain's office. it includes a desk and a computer plus  printer and many Furbys!! furbys  are apparantly the good luck charm, in the sensee that if they put it in the truck on a call they always

 get a big fire! Next to this  is their stores. They get some donations in the form of bandages  and some medicines such as IV tramadol. However many of the ALS drugs are not in stock. Some of the money I raised are going towards these drugs! 

There are 3-4 AEDs that all need repaing in some shape or form. Going back to the main station, up stairs there is a training room, a mini museum of the hitory of the station and several fire poles. After many introductions and many words spoken in Spanish I was  taken out to lunch to experience Peruvian food. Postt return there was more chatter and a fire was reported. Not in the area however. Looking at their system, 

there were several stations  that were not in commission due to no staffing or broken vehicles. Station 14 itself had no driver (apart from  captain who was not in uniform). We then went via a shop to buy a phone back to the other station. Here, there was   more attempts to fix the broken (only) vehicle and it was decided that it would need to be sent to the garage to fix the cylinder  as well as the ambulance which the gear box was broken on. Then it was home time about 1730. 

Speaking more to Captain I learnt the reason he came out here. As a trained Paramedic in Ireland, he came out here to experience life here. As he was about to leave saying he didn't like it he was asked to help at an incident that had involved the Chief's driver. Realising he was able to communicate well enough in 

English he was able to lead the team and was asked to stay to teach the team some Paramedic skills. He was  paid for three months by Ireland then wanted to stay. He has been able to work his way up the ranks to Captain and this needed a lot of work to get to!hence he now seems  happy in Peru. 

 

So to sum  up only one day. Ive learnt loads of how they work and am looking forward to experiencing their work. I know I am a little behind but day 2 and 3 will come probably tomorrow. 

Adios.

An introduction

Hello,
I am Samantha and currently out in Peru to work with a friend of mine and experience life in Peru. As many of you know I am out here to observe 2 jobs - medical transfers and volunteer firefighters/Paramedics.

I am spending 2 weeks and myself and my friend agreed that it would be cool to share some of y experience. I am intending to do a day by day of what I have done and what I have seen. Pictures included.

I hope people reading this will enjoy it, as I already have enjoyed it out here...

First day to follow once written

Sam