If you are a regular reader of In Search of Utopia, you may remember the post I wrote about the Monteverde Bank Assault.

It remains one of the most compelling pieces I have written on the blog. While Costa Rican public servants are often criticized for corruption and incompetence, there are some true heroes among them. A group I respect tremendously are the Fire Fighters. As I write this, there is a horrendous fire burning in Moen, in the Province of Limon. A truck carrying combustible materials is burning out of control. Fire Fighters from as far away as the capital, and my own city of Heredia, have rushed to the scene, to help local Fire Fighters, to put down the blaze (A drive of 2 hours)!

These people are all volunteers, and they are heroes in the truest sense of the word. They are under equipped, under trained and poorly provided for. At this moment, they are risking their lives to save people and property. The emotion is incredible....

Apparently the truck was being filled when it suddenly exploded. The number of dead are unknown as the heat and toxic smoke, makes it impossible for the Fire Fighters to even get close.

These men and women are working without gas masks and proper protective gear, and are valiantly attempting to put down a fire that they don't even have the proper gear to fight. The video is horrible, with the fire continuing to burn out of control. The heroic men and women of the Costa Rican Red Cross are also on the scene, providing what help they can.

Moments like these are truly impressive examples of how Costa Rican's come together in disaster. One of the things that impresses me the most, is the TOTAL lack of fear. You could see it last year on the face of the police officers in Monteverde...

Like the concentration on the face of this Costa Rican Special Agent, going to the aid of a wounded colleague.

These men and women drove two hours to fight a fire that they are ill equipped to fight, and rush into danger without a second's thought to their own safety. It is incredible. Yes it is true, you may occasionally run into a corrupt traffic cop. But it is moments the one today, when the BEST characteristics of Costa Rica's public servants are revealed, and while I am not Costa Rican, I am very proud of them.

More news here, if you read Spanish.

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.grupo-utopia.com/blog/mt/mt-tb.cgi/3075