GlobalMedic, a Canadian humanitarian organisation focused on rapid-response disaster relief, delivered 10 firefighting equipment to volunteer fire departments in Paraguay. The event took place at the headquarters of Paraguay’s association of Volunteer Firefighter Institutions (Asociación de Instituciones de Bomberos Voluntarios del Paraguay, or ABVP). The event was attended by Rahul Singh, who led the delivery, as well as the High Commissioner of Canada to Paraguay, Hans Janz.
Portable firefighting equipment delivered
The donation consists of 10 portable “fire skid” systems, each comprising a 1,000-litre water tank, pump, hoses, and nozzle, integrated into a single compact unit. These systems can be mounted on pickup trucks, effectively converting them into rapid-response fire engines. The units are capable of accessing areas that are difficult or impossible for conventional fire appliances to reach.
“This latest delivery brings the total number of units donated in Paraguay to 11. Including an earlier prototype developed locally in collaboration with the ABVP and volunteer fire departments,” Singh added.
Modular firefighting solution
The system was developed as a practical response to logistical and financial constraints faced by fire services. Conventional fire engines are expensive to purchase and maintain, whereas pickup trucks are widely available. By equipping these vehicles with modular firefighting systems, departments can significantly expand their operational capacity at a lower cost. Coordination of the donation was supported by ABVP and first response specialist Dr Jon Clamp, who assisted in identifying beneficiary fire stations and contributing to the evaluation of the initial prototype.
“Wildfires across the region are becoming more frequent and intense due to extreme heat and prolonged drought conditions, particularly in the Gran Chaco region, where seasonal agricultural burns have increasingly escalated into large-scale, uncontrollable wildfires,” Singh says. “As a result, firefighters are facing growing pressure due to the rising number of incidents.”
Expansion of GlobalMedic programme in Latin America
GlobalMedic is a Canadian humanitarian organisation focused on rapid-response assistance during natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. The organisation delivers practical, field-based solutions designed to strengthen the capacity of local emergency services in affected regions. Since 2024, GlobalMedic has expanded its firefighting support programme across Latin America, including deployments in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, and Paraguay. Its work has focused on providing portable firefighting equipment to volunteer and municipal fire departments facing increasing wildfire risks. To date, the organisation has delivered 84 fire skid units across the region, with plans to continue expanding the programme in partnership with local institutions and emergency response agencies.
For the beneficiary fire departments in Paraguay, the new equipment will significantly enhance their capacity to respond to wildfires and emergencies in their communities.
Also read: The Bomberos: How Paraguay Is Reliant On The Volunteer Fire Brigade
