Fort Buchanan Firefighters Complete Historic Joint Technical Rescue Training with Puerto Rico Emergency Agencies

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Army civilian firefighters strengthened Puerto Rico’s emergency readiness by completing a historic, 40‑hour collapsed‑… FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Army civilian firefighters strengthened Puerto Rico’s emergency readiness by completing a historic, 40‑hour collapsed‑structure and technical rescue course alongside municipal and state partners Oct. 26–30. Assistant Fire Chief Hector Rivera said the course represented a major step forward in joint rescue capability. “This historic initiative marks the first time Fort Buchanan firefighters have trained directly alongside state, municipal and non‑profit rescue organizations in this highly technical discipline,” Rivera said. “It’s a milestone for our entire emergency response community.” Hosted by the San Juan and Guaynabo Offices for Emergency Management (OMME), the course prepared first responders for lifesaving operations during earthquakes and large‑scale disasters.

Four Fort Buchanan personnel — Fire Inspector Wilfred Rivera, Firefighter Jesus Mercado, Firefighter A. Gonzalez and Rivera — joined responders from Carolina, Bayamón, Loíza, municipal police departments, non‑profit emergency teams and local volunteers. Over five days at Guaynabo’s municipal disaster‑simulation facility, firefighters tackled multi‑story concrete structures, confined spaces, rubble fields and vehicle crash zones. Participants executed advanced techniques including concrete breaching and cutting, structural shoring, confined‑space navigation, atmospheric monitoring, high‑angle rope rescue and complex vehicle extrication. Rivera emphasized that the training built more than just technical skills. “By mastering advanced disciplines