Firefighters visit Slovenia

Green Valley firefighters were able to take a break from the desert this summer and visit a place equally as beautiful, but a lot more green.

That place is Slovenia, the verdant Central European country in the former Yugoslavia.

For the past eight years, Green Valley firefighters and medical staff from St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson have participated in an exchange program that has allowed them to “cross international borders to exchange ideas, information and cultural experiences,” said Firefighter Paul Miller.

The exchange was instigated in 2000 by former Green Valley Firefighter Mona Allen and has been a hit with the fire departments on both sides of the Atlantic.

Beginning in the last week of August, Paul Miller, Mona Allen, Firefighter Alan Karnes and Fire Captain Bob Zinn spent two weeks in the city of Stara Vrhnika to help celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the founding of their Fire and Rescue Brigade.

At the ceremony, Green Valley firefighters presented Stara Vrhnika’s mayor, fire chief, and director of regional medical services with an Arizona flag and a plaque that honors their service to their community and country. In return, the Green Valley Fire District was presented with a certificate of appreciation, a Slovenian flag and a several other gifts, including a decorated Slovenian Easter egg.

Miller says they have made life-long friends with the local firefighters, and enjoyed learning about the fire and medical technologies of their country.

The Arizonan’s also did plenty of vacationing. They climbed medieval castles, took a trip to the Alps, and were able to see the famous Lipizzaner Stallions perform, said Miller, who called the scenery of Slovenia “breath-taking.”

Next spring, several Slovenian firefighters and paramedics will spend two weeks with Green Valley firefighters to learn about American fire and medical technologies, our fire district and the community. Miller said they will go on ride-alongs with Green Valley firefighters and other law enforcement entities, such as the Arizona Highway Patrol, and will be speaking to community organizations about their country and some of the differences between American and Slovenian fire services.

“Their fire, rescue and medical fields are the state of the art for their area,” said Miller, “and they have a lot to share with us and the Green Valley Community.”

They’ll be doing their share of sightseeing, too, said Miller, who predicts that the Slovenians are going to have a field day exploring the Arizona desert.

“They’re really into the West and Americana, and all of that stuff,” he said. “They’re going to love it here.”

Miller says he and the other firefighters are available currently to speak with Green Valley organizations and share photos from the trip, he said.

Firefighters who have made the trip in the past have always funded their own travel expenses, but the district is looking for organizations to help sponsor next year’s exchange.

For more information on presentations or sponsorship, contact the Green Valley Fire District’s Fire Prevention and Public Education Office at 520-625-9438.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726