Paul Embleton

Emberton has been working tirelessly since 1996 to help improve the emergency services in Guatemala after witnessing a heroic, but under trained, effort to save an individual from an accident on a construction site. Emberton was appalled at the level of training and lack of access to specialist equipment that would save lives if available.

Out of this experience the BRAVE Foundation (Bomberos Resourceful And Valiant Efforts) was setup to provide equipment and the greatly needed emergency training to the volunteer emergency services in Guatemala. Rotary International and fellow fighters out of Emberton’s Washington fire station played a large part in the pilot programs that started the reality of change for the Guatemalan emergency services.

So far the BRAVE Foundation has been responsible for providing over a million dollars worth of medical supplies and equipment, 20 firefighting vehicles and the training of over 1000 EMTs. None of this would have happened without the personal sacrifice of Emberton.  He retired early, sold an internet company to fund the initial programs and projects, and then relocated to Guatemala to become a full time volunteer.

Submitted by:
Kit Bennett

Sources:

CNN Heroes

BRAVE Foundation