A Mexican town of 25,000 people soon will have its first ambulance, police cars and fire truck thanks to the efforts of Pierce County police officers and firefighters. Word of Ayutla Jal’s need for emergency vehicles became known following a vehicle accident in which four persons were seriously injured in the town. Three of the victims, including a child, died on the way to the hospital.
The link between Ayutla Jal and Pierce County was the Jose Lopez family, which own the El Pueblito restaurant in Gig Harbor. The family was visiting family and friends in Ayutla Jal at the time and witnessed the accident. They later shared the story with customers in Pierce County, including Sheriff’s Det. Ed Troyer, Ed Hauge of Comcast and police officers and firefighters from numerous agencies.
“Their deaths may have been prevented,” Troyer said. “The hospital is more than an hour away, and the town does not have the resources for a medic unit or the training to care for the injured during transport. Not only does the town not have a medic unit, it does not have a fire truck, police cars or an ambulance. In the year 2007 people shouldn’t be dying in car crashes with minor injuries due to lack of basic medical equipment and transportation to the hospital.”
Police officers and firefighters in Pierce County were quick to respond after hearing about the triple-fatality. This spring they obtained three surplus patrol cars from the Tacoma Police Department, a medic unit from the Littlerock Fire Department in Thurston County and a 2,000-gallon fire truck tender from the Sultan Fire Department in Snohomish County. Another group called “Firemen Crossing Borders” is procuring firefighting equipment, and stocking the medic unit. Cash was raised by selling T-shirts and collecting donations at the restaurant.
The vehicles are being repainted and spruced up by mechanics, volunteers and students from Clover Park Technical College, and graphics were provided by Western Graphics.
“The vehicles will be in top shape when they are delivered with all graphics in Spanish,” Troyer said.
A “Bash for Gas” party to raise funds for transporting the vehicles to Mexico will be held from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Sat., Sept. 8 in the El Pueblito parking lot, 3226 Harborview Drive, in Gig Harbor. The refurbished cars will be on display, and live music will be provided by the Michael Crain Band. Suggested admission donations are $6 or two for $10, and food and beverages will be available for donations.
Party ticket information can be obtained from Lauren Pawlawski at lpawlaw@co.pierce.wa.us or by phone at (253) 377-0123 or (253) 798-4936. Fuel will cost an estimated $6,500. Make checks payable to Crime Stoppers — Ayutla Jal Project, 6824 19th St. W. #139, University Place, WA 98466.
A team of 12, including Troyer and Hauge, will drive the vehicles to Ayutla Jal in mid-September. Next January, a team of firefighters will travel there to provide fire and medical training. The town is located two hours west of Guadalajara in the State of Jalisco, two hours east of Puerto Vallarta.
