My Firefighter Nation
BFC Ekellop
63, Male
GAVERE, Oost Vlaanderen
Belgium
Profile Information:
- Type of Organization
- Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer
- Job Function
- Battalion Chief / Division Chief
- Years in Fire/EMS:
- 19
- Primary Fire/EMS Department:
- BRANDWEER GAVERE
- Years With Department/Agency
- 19
- Dept. Web Site:
- http://www.brandweergavere.be
- 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 2012 - ......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.
Sincerely,
BFC Paul Vanlook
Acaciastraat 24
B-9890 Gavere
paul.vanlook@skynet.be - Day Job:
- Belgian military
- Relationship Status:
- Married
- Facebook or Other Online Profile:
- http://macon2010.skynetblogs.be
- Why I Joined Fire/EMS
- childrens dream, service to my local community, way to meet people
- Why I Love Fire/EMS
- great opportunities, gets my blood pumping
- Top Issues Facing Responders:
- Education, training, fellowship
Thomas Bishop
Dec 3, 2008
brandweermanjan
Dec 16, 2008
frans
Jan 1, 2011