Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

March 15, 2009

*Update: In the time it took me to write this blog post, the fire has been put out. I can still see a giant, forceful stream of water from my window that goes higher than the smoke in the pictures so they must be using that giant canon thing. As I watched I could see lights turning on and off and the shadows of the firemen with huge flash lights as they went through the building, presumably making sure that everyone was out.

I cried as I took pictures from the outdoor hallway of my building literally 5 minutes ago.

As I type these words, worst case scenario, people’s lives are in danger. Best case scenario, a few families are losing everything.

S. thinks I’m totally morbid and sick for taking these pictures and posting them. I don’t think it’s sick. I just want anyone reading this to think of the people living in that building and send them good vibes, or pray, or whatever it is that you do.

I send a wish up to a higher power, if one does exist, that everyone made it out ok and that they’ll have the financial wealth/help from friends and family, to be back on their feet. Scary.

And this just makes me even more grateful for my friend Bret, who’s a volunteer fireman back in Michigan. Just like the firemen in Santiago(all volunteers, they even have to pay for their suits and helmets and things to keep them safe themselves, so if you ever see them out on the street asking for donations, please give a few pesos if you can spare it) working to save these people, their pets, and their homes, my friend is willing to risk his life for people he doesn’t even know. So if you know any firemen, thank them sincerely today and cross your fingers that you’re not the next person they’ll be pulling out of a burning building.

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13 Comments

I heard the fire trucks go by awhile ago…I bet that’s what it was for. Every time I hear a fire truck I always say a little prayer for both the firemen and the people who are inside the building that is burning. I hope everyone in that building is okay.

Comment by Abby — March 15, 2009 @ 7:10 pm

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Abby, I do the same thing. I always try to send wellness and life vibes whenever I hear a fire truck or an ambulance passing by.

UGH. Scary.

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 15, 2009 @ 7:13 pm

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Wow. I’m glad they put the fire out and hope everyone’s OK. I say a little prayer whenever I hear a siren, too.

I’ve always admired Chile’s volunteer firefighters but also wonder if their training, equipment and experience are on par with what professional firefighters in other countries have at their disposal. I wish I knew a Chilean firefighter so I could ask his/her (are there hers?) opinion.

Comment by Leigh — March 15, 2009 @ 7:34 pm

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Leigh, I am guessing that their training and equipment isn’t on par with other countries since they have to pay for it all themselves. I mean, I know that one of those heat resistant suits must be WAY more money than the average Chilean has laying around. Hopefully they get some kind of help from the government, but if they have to buy their own equipment, I’m doubting they’re very well funded.

That being said, there is a very shiny looking nice fire station right near here.

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 15, 2009 @ 7:36 pm

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I taught English to a fireman. He was an executive of one of the largest beverage companies in Chile. He made it sound like it was a very specialized club. I hope that wasn’t the building where we own an apartment!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Amanda — March 15, 2009 @ 11:43 pm

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Nice job of them..
Good vibrations are always good..
Lovely photos..
with emotion..
=)
http://travelandtrips.wordpress.com/

Comment by travelandtrips — March 16, 2009 @ 6:34 am

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OMG!!! What street was the fire on???

Comment by Clare — March 16, 2009 @ 6:55 am

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Scary! I didn’t know the firemen had to pay for all their stuff. We always give them money, but now I have to stop cursing them out because by San Sebastian they ALWAYS ALWAYS hold up traffic to the point of it being dangerous! I won’t curse them out anymore and next time we give them money, I will give extra for being such a bitch….

Comment by Shannon — March 16, 2009 @ 7:34 am

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I find it hard to believe that Santiago does not have any professional firemen?

Comment by jyby — March 16, 2009 @ 8:14 am

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Jyby, here’s the link that talks about why they’re volunteer firemen: http://www.bomberos.cl/servicio.php (in Spanish)

Shannon, yeah we always try to give them money too. I think we might set up our account again to do a monthly donation or something.

Clare, I’ll email you so I don’t post to the internet world where I live.

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 16, 2009 @ 8:17 am

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I think more precise information on how firemen organizations work can be found on the website that Kyle provided. I talked with my husband about how firemen organizations are formed and how they are financed in Chile. Such firemen organization should comply with a number of requirements to be registered (e.g include a number of experienced firemen that can provide adequate training and manage junior staff). My husband says that all equipment and suits, a fire station space are provided by the government, probably based on requests from the firemen volunteer organization. However, he admits that fire equipment is not on par with other countries and it is very doubtful that it satisfies all basic needs of the firemen. For example, they do not have helicopters to use, and obviously not trained to use them. And I think helicopters are essential in such cities as Santiago with a number of high rise buildings already built and in construction. In 1981 there was a fire in the Tower Santa Maria (the highest building at that time) and it was realized that firemen did not have equipment and training to fight the fire and evacuate people from high rise building.

All training and miscellaneous expenses are provided at the expense of the firemen organizations (e.g using donations).

Comment by Irini_ta — March 16, 2009 @ 3:43 pm

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Hmm, Irini_ta, I’m really not sure about who pays for the suits. Twice I’ve seen a fireman holding a sign that says something like “This uniform was paid for by your donation.”

I think it also depends on where you live too, as each fire station is in part funded by the local government and some of the comunas in Santiago (and out of Santiago) are clearly much wealthier than others. So it may be that in some comunas they receive enough funding to pay for everything and not in others. But, the website does clearly state that each fireman must pay a monthly fee out of their own pocket to fund them.

Comment by Mamacita Chilena — March 16, 2009 @ 3:48 pm

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You are right, on the website I see that the government provides financing for a limited number of suits and therefore the rest is financed by the firemen and donations they receive.

Comment by Irini_ta — March 16, 2009 @ 4:08 pm

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