29/06/2026
International Mission: A Specialist from Viedma Travels to Venezuela to Save Lives with Drone Technology
He is a volunteer firefighter, expert in cutting-edge devices, and took vacation to enter a disaster zone.
The vocation of service and high technical training once again place a Rio Negro native on the front line of international humanitarian assistance. The specialist from Viedma, Damián Quillón, who currently works professionally in Villa La Angostura, set off for Venezuela to join a complex assistance mission alongside the international brigade Fénix Unit Rescue, an organization dedicated to critical search, rescue, and emergency response operations.
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Quillón, who is also a volunteer firefighter, is a recognized instructor in the use of drones for locating people. His role in the Caribbean will focus on providing technical support and training on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in search tasks, a resource that optimizes response times without risking human lives. "I have courses in drone handling in critical situations and forest fires. With my work I can locate people and it serves to not risk human life," the specialist explained in an interview with NoticiasNet.
The trip represents a huge personal and logistical challenge. To be part of the delegation in this emergency, Quillón had to use his days off: "I work for the forest fire unit, but I asked for vacation to be able to travel and work in this catastrophe."
"The Moment of Truth"
The Fénix Unit Rescue mission brings together rescuers from different specialties of the continent. Quillón travels accompanied by Celeste Alvarenga, a specialist in search, rescue, and collapsed structures from Plaza Huincul (Neuquén). Both know they will face a devastating scenario.
"It's a mix of feelings. Although one is prepared for this, it's like a trial by fire for us. One is a professional doing this, but it's the moment of truth, it will be hard and tough but we will rise to the occasion, because that's what we prepared for by taking many courses," confessed the man from Viedma, acknowledging the strong psychological impact of the task.
In the same vein, Alvarenga emphasized: "We also prepare psychologically, because it's not the same to go to an accident or house fire as to go to a disaster of such magnitude and where the injuries are not the same."
Call for Solidarity: How to Help
As it is a non-governmental organization (NGO), the rescuers are paying for their tickets and transportation out of their own pockets. For this reason, they launched a call to the community for those who wish to collaborate with the cause.
"We are going to collaborate, to help. So whoever wants to collaborate is welcome, because we are covering the expenses, the trip, the transportation," said Quillón, detailing that once at the collection center in Venezuela they will have to coordinate the collection of essential supplies such as latex gloves, water, and medical supplies to assist the victims.
For those interested in providing financial support to cover the logistical costs of the Fénix Unit Rescue brigade, the following transfer methods have been enabled: the Alias is guillermoarana.bru and the CBU is 1430001713045336440016.
