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Date Published: 25/05/2022

ARCHIVED - Murcia fire stations are understaffed as we approach summer and wildfire season

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The risk of forest fires in southern Spain is high, and many fire stations are unprepared and lack sufficient funds

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Murcia fire stations are understaffed as we approach summer and wildfire season

Summer is a wonderful time in Spain, and many tourists agree that there are few places better to spend it than on Murcia’s beautiful coastline. But there is one group of people who are going to find it very hard this summer.

All across the Region of Murcia, fire stations have had their budgets slashed and the number of firefighters available at any given moment has dwindled to dangerously low levels. If there are not enough staff, we run the risk of emergencies that cannot be attended, fires that cannot be put out and firefighters who are too overworked to function at their best.

This is exacerbated by the fact that in summer, the coastal towns of the Region suffer a sudden increase in population, which means more possibilities for fires to start or accidents to happen. But fire crews are not being increased this summer in line with the number of people they have to service.

In the popular holiday destination of La Manga, for example, residents have asked for more firemen especially for the summer season, and not for the first time. All indicators point to this being a busy summer for La Manga, and for the town’s firefighters.

“It is an issue that has us very worried,” says Salvador Martínez, member of the Association of Neighbours of La Manga. “Soon this will be full and there are few staff. In addition, we have been promised reforms to the Fire Station in La Manga since last year. Nothing has been done.”

Other towns along the Murcia coast have also complained of the lack of firefighters on duty at fire stations, with Mazarrón at times having just one person on call to respond to emergencies, while the risk of wildfires in the town increases.

At the same time, Greenpeace has recently warned that the chance of forest fires starting in Spain is getting higher with each passing year due to climate change, and these fires are already extremely dangerous events that plague Spain each summer as it is.

In La Manga, a lack of funding for fire services has not only affected the number of staff, but buildings and equipment too.

This time last year, a management resolution was passed by the Consortium of Fire Services in Murcia (CEIS) authorising the permanent return of firefighters to the La Manga fire house after having declared a “serious and imminent” risk caused by the significant structural damage to the building.

Subsequently, however, the Regional Government reported that they would leave most of the fire station unused, except for the administrative offices, but ensured access for workers. CEIS has since pledged to fix these problems: “The project is approved and as soon as the budgets of the fire brigade consortium are approved, it will be contracted and carried out.”

As yet, though, nothing has been done.

According to Martínez, “The trucks are parked on the street and these vehicles are very sensitive to corrosion. Then there is the usual issue, the lack of personnel. There are two or three firemen and now the holiday season is starting and it can be a problem. It’s the same in other towns. I think that the town councils should take the lead in this and demand a reinforcement of personnel. They are responsible for their municipalities and they could do more.”

The La Manga Neighbourhood Association says they have spoken to the firefighters, who are on shifts and concerned about the problem themselves.

“If something happens, everything is very far away,” they admit.

Image 1: 112 Región de Murcia

Image 2: Bomberos Región de Murcia

Image 3: Ayuntamiento de San Javier

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