BEMCC ISSUES HUMANITARIAN AWARDS FOR EMERGENCY AID PROVIDERS

July 6, 2004, Celia Diaz Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee News, Chula Vista, Calif.:

(The BEMCC provides 24-hour-per-day emergency services for a tax deductible membership fee of $30 per year, 619-425-5080.)

Every year BEMCC issues a Humanitarian Award. Last year we did not have this event, therefore we are going to be honoring twice the number from the Rescue Teams, fire departments, emergency providers and others who lend a helping hand to those in need.

We will be honoring the Unsung Heroes of our International Community, United States and Mexico at this special luncheon. We have invited Honorees from Puertecitos, San Felipe, Ensenada, Rosarito, Tijuana, Mexicali, San Diego, Puerto Penasco, San Quintin, Colonet and other areas of Baja California and San Luis Rio Colorado.

Since our last report, we have transported a couple of U.S. soldiers from Mexico due to automobile accidents and other injuries caused by unknown assailants.

We also had a couple of air ambulance transports of trauma patients injured in Ciudad Obregon, Guaymas and Puerto Penasco.

We received a couple of calls from two American ladies who were expectant mothers on their 7th month, they were vacationing in Ensenada and Rosarito and the baby decided to be born in Mexico. When this happens, we contact the U.S. Immigration officials at the U.S. Port of Entry and give them the mother's information, U.S. address and how long they have been in Mexico. If the mother is a U.S. Citizen but has been out of the United States for more than 6 months, she has to apply for an immigration visa for the newborn child. It's important to inform the U.S. immigration officials that the mother has only been a few days or weeks in Mexico, this way the child automatically obtains U.S. Citizenship the moment he is brought across into the U.S. within the first two weeks after his birth. It does not matter if the father is a Mexican Citizen.

Other persons called requesting assistance for a family member who tried to commit suicide or got very ill while visiting in Rosarito and Ensenada.

Earlier, I reported a man who fell of his boat in Ensenada and sustained severe trauma injuries. I was notified last week that he died a few days ago due to complications related to his injuries. He was also a fireman. His brother is a Fireman in National City. He is going to be attending the luncheon on July 14.