Volunteers
Being part of Comandos de Salvamento (the Comandos) means putting your time, training and willingness to work at the service of others. Our organization brings together volunteers at the Central Base and branches in communities throughout El Salvador.
Delegate Bases (33)
| DELEGATE BASE | DELEGATE |
|---|---|
| 1. BASE CENTRAL | Roberto Orlando Cruz |
| 2. Apopa | Neftaly Martinez Escalon |
| 3. Sensuntepeque | Adrian Natividad Benítez García |
| 4. Sonsonate | Pedro Campo |
| 5. Zacatecoluca | Juan Hilario Clímaco Hernandez |
| 6. Juayúa | Juan Francisco Chévez Ávila |
| 7. Berlín | Mercedes Serrano Gómez |
| 8. Nejapa | Saul Alexander Torres |
| 9. Ayutuxtepeque | Wilmer Alexander Lobo |
| 10. Tepecoyo | Maira Liset Monzón de Ramos |
| 11. Ilopango | Mario Ernesto Jimenez |
| 12. Zaragoza | Magdaleno Chavarria Martinez |
| 13. Zapotitán | Emelecio Membreño |
| 14. Jucuapa | Baltazar Cañas |
| 15. San Miguel Tepezontes | Miguel Angel Duarte Granados |
| 16. Santa Ana | Mauricio Eduardo Guirola |
| 17. San Diego | Jose Elias Artiaga |
| 18. El Congo | Luis Alexander Zepeda Recinos |
| 19. Ciudad Arce | Jose Roberto Rivera Miranda |
| 20. Sacacoyo | Consuelo Beatriz Recinos Funes |
| 21. Chinameca | Jose Angel Perez |
| 22. La Libertad | Vladimir Castro Palacios |
| 23. Quezaltepeque | Douglas Adonay Alcantara |
| 24. Lourdes | Guillermo Gómez |
| 25. Metalio | Edwin Ernesto Orellana Beltran |
| 26. Alegría | Roberto Joaquin Marquez |
| 27. Antiguo Cuscatlán | Julio Rosales |
| 28. Tecoluca | Carlos Alberto González |
| 29. Los Blancos | Roberto Hernández |
| 30. San Martín | Mario Navarre |
| 31. Guazapa | Gerardo Domínguez |
| 32. Aguilares | Ignacio Chica |
| 33. La Unión | Matías Días Rodríguez |
Becoming a volunteer
Seco, Mark Hoffman, Rodríguez and Navas in Bajo Lempa during the 1999 flood season.
Volunteering is unpaid. The Comandos offer training and service experience in first aid, emergency care, rescue and disaster preparedness.
Requirements for joining
The minimum age is 14. Personal references and a clearance certificate from the National Civil Police are required; applicants under 18 must provide the appropriate documents and parental authorization. Check with the Central Base or your local branch about the documents and steps for joining.
Volunteers need a commitment to service, respect for others and a willingness to devote some of their free time to training and volunteer work.
International volunteers
If you live outside El Salvador and would like to work with Comandos de Salvamento, contact Mark Hoffman, LICSW, international liaison and website manager, at marco@salvamento.org.
Mark has worked with the Comandos since 1997. His understanding of the cultural and linguistic context helps volunteers adapt and bring their experience to programs serving the Salvadoran community, taking into account the roles and limits of their professional practice in their home country.
Functional Spanish is required, with enough fluency to hold a conversation and understand instructions. The screening process may include a conversation in Spanish.
Healthcare professionals interested in providing training and people with skills in technology, web development or technical support are also welcome. Contact Mark to explore how you can contribute.
