YOUNG PEOPLE FROM COMANDOS UNDERGO VEHICLE RESCUE COURSE

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I believe that my father’s legacy influenced my decision to become part of Comandos de Salvamento. Now 16 years old, Grace Gómez is undergoing the demanding tests of the vehicle rescue course. She is one of the 7 young women who arrived to become part of this select group of rescuers.

Comandos de Salvamento conducts training courses for its volunteers from all the country’s sections every year, with the aim of enabling young people to gain greater knowledge in health care, rescue and other areas, so that better assistance can be provided to the population.

During the third weekend, the 30 young volunteers who are part of the vehicle rescue course have undergone demanding physical tests, as well as long hours of study to learn about the hydraulic equipment used to free victims trapped as a result of traffic accidents.

The volunteers gather from Friday afternoon in order to begin their activities in the early hours of Saturday morning, carrying out endurance tests and strengthening their muscles, since the hydraulic machines are heavy.

However, the 7 young women between the ages of 16 and 20 deserve admiration because, despite the demanding physical work, they have overcome everything so far, with the sole objective of advancing their knowledge as rescuers.

For Grace Gómez, it is something she dreamed of since childhood after seeing her father, Daniel Gómez, who during the armed conflict was one of the rescuers from the Apopa section, and who years later left volunteer service to pursue his university studies.

However, Grace always wanted to become part of Comandos de Salvamento and, at the young age of fourteen, she underwent her first first-aid practices. Now, at 16, she has completed First Aid, Pre-Hospital Care, Advanced First Aid Care and Vertical Rescue, and is now beginning her training in vehicle rescue.

“My dream is to pass these tests and graduate as a vehicle rescuer, since it will be part of my résumé, as my goal is to study medicine and in this way help those most in need. I have my father’s support, and he knows that this volunteer service is fascinating… now my brother, who is only 13, is also part of Comandos, as is my cousin too, hahaha… I want to give my best to become a true Comando de Salvamento.