The Madrid Municipal Council carried out a total of 29,640 interventions in 2024, an average of 81 per day, representing a 1.95% increase compared to 2023 when they conducted 29,071 interventions. Since 2014, the average intentional interventions by Madrid municipal firefighters have been on the rise. The most common interventions (8,306) were due to various incidents, including forest fires, urban furniture risks or sewerage (traffic lights, lamps, traffic signs…), followed by rescue and salvage operations (8,209), fires (5,900), water damage (2,910), and construction incidents (2,009).
This was highlighted by Vicascaldessa and a delegate of security and emergency situations, Inma Sanz, during the assessment of their firefighting activity in Madrid, which took place at the new 5th Park in the USRA district. Sanz was accompanied by the district councilor, Sonia Cel.
After observing some firefighters, Sanz reiterated her gratitude for the daily work they provide, stating that «Madrid feels so proud» and recalling that the municipal council’s service is the most appreciated in the latest quality of life survey in the municipal area, with a score of 8.2 out of 10. Additionally, she reaffirmed the government’s «commitment» to the fire department to continue providing more personnel, resources, and infrastructure.
In this regard, Sanz recalled the approval last summer of new collective firefighters for Madrid, which aims to enhance both the effectiveness of the service received by Madrid and the working conditions of the firefighters. These agreements include improvements such as the inclusion of a work plan that allows for an increase in the workforce to approximately 1,750 firefighters by the end of its validity, in line with the 10,000 municipal plans to continue increasing the staff of essential services of the Municipal Council.
In 2024, various internal promotion processes within the department led to the appointment of 71 group leaders, in addition to the 36 driver group positions and the 12 unrefined conduct positions that will soon be filled (the latter as practical officials). Assistance square, 15 sergeants, and 12 group leaders were also called. Within the 10,000 plan, the selection processes for 126 new specialist specialists and 60 specialized chimney specialists are currently in progress. Furthermore, new positions will be announced this year.
Budget Increase
The momentum of the firefighting department will continue in 2025, as evidenced by the budgets allocated for this year, amounting to 213.3 million euros,
17.6% more than in 2024. The investment chapter sees an increase of over 700%, with the addition of 47 new heavy vehicles, both the first and second units, as well as investments in autonomous breathing apparatus for the Corp logistics complex and renovation and construction works.
Last year, over 8 million euros were allocated to complete the works at the Fifth Park USRA, the second phase of the first Chamberí park, the main storage ship, and the logistics autonomous breathing equipment facilities at Atyuela (Villa de Vallecas). Additionally, comprehensive rehabilitation works began at the Cabecera park in the northern area (ninth, Fuencarrarral-El Pardo) with an executed budget of approximately 3.5 million, and the project was completed, with the auction launched for the new park (14th) and the second response park in the logistics complex in Vallecas.
In 2024, two contracts were awarded to renew the fleet with a total of 68 new vehicles, as part of the plan to update and expand the department’s vehicles (the operational plan of the Fire Flite 2019-2029): the first to receive 43 trucks for intervention in emergencies, with a multi-year expenditure of over 23.1 million, and the second, for a total of 25 heavy vehicles for the second response unit with a multi-year expenditure of 10.2 million.
The most common scenario for firefighters in 2024 was to have between 50 and 75 interventions per day (which occurred in 168 of their days). On 186 shifts, they exceeded 75 interventions, while on four days they had over 150, usually related to weather conditions. Finally, on only eight days, the firefighters had to act less than 50 times.
The majority of the interventions in 2024 were in Centro (3,112), Puente de Vallecas (2,024), Carabanchel (1,971), Latina (1,834), and Fuencarral-El Pardo (1,829).
Response times last year averaged at 7 minutes and 28 seconds, with arrival times in the most urgent interventions reduced to as low as 6 minutes and 8 seconds.
Noteworthy Interventions with Multiple Resources
The interventions in 2024 that required higher resource deployment included three fires: one in a debris and grass area in Lañada Real, in August (24 units deployed); one in a house on the ninth floor, in June, in the Latina district, involving facade collapse and critically injured individuals (22 units deployed); and one in March on Lope de Vega street (17 units deployed). Overall, the Department of Madrid Firefighters’ interventions in the last year required a total mobilization of 41,417 resources.
Sanz recalled several specific actions as examples of those that «require great effort to carry out, skill, and work,» such as attending to two simultaneous multiple accidents that occurred on A-3, near the M-50 connection; the collapse of several fakes in a building under construction in Fuencarral-El Pardo that resulted in the death of two workers and the removal of over eight tons of materials from the fourth floor; and the spectacular fire in a 13-year-old building in Latina, where a specialized route was needed for firefighting.
Support for Dana Affected Individuals from the Beginning
In 2024, Madrid firefighters participated in the contingent sent by the local council to assist the Valencian towns affected by Dana. Starting from November 1st, for 16 days, a total of 108 municipal firefighters in various relays, equipped with 23 vehicles and all necessary materials and garages, removed vehicles and focused on locating possible victims. To ensure proper coordination, they held two daily meetings with firefighters from the Valencia Local Council.
The interventions were divided into 76 work sectors, totaling 40 drainage interventions and removing 253 vehicles from garages and 160 from public roads. They also participated in the search for 18 missing persons.
Presence at Major Events
Furthermore, reconnaissance visits and checks before major events are crucial. In 2024, for example, these were conducted ahead of the European elections, music festivals like Mad Cool, and concerts by artists such as Taylor Swift, Camilo, Paul McCartney, Karol G, and Manuel Turizo. In total, there were 275 visits and checks, as well as the issuance of 108 stamps in 2024.
Working at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is another important task for the department, requiring significant coordination with other services and administrations. In 2024, there were five interventions at the airport. Municipal firefighters also participated in seven exercises there and are working on proposals to enhance the airport’s emergency plan. Additionally, the department took part in 71 drainage and intervention simulations in 2024 (compared to 65 in 2023), including some involving all municipal emergency services like Cuatro Vientos, and participated in exercises and mechanisms of European civil protection.
During 2024, firefighters also took part in 46 exhibitions and maneuvers and received visits from 71 schools. Regarding informational activities, the experimental classroom established with the MAPFRE Foundation to educate citizens on fire prevention, as well as participation in Juvenalia, was successful. The Fire Museum, reopened recently, welcomed around 9,500 visitors in 2024, with high satisfaction ratings (4.9 out of 5).
Moreover, fire prevention inspections, aimed at enforcing fire regulations, are another important task. Last year, they conducted over 1,300 inspections, reported on over 900 self-protection plans, and reviewed around 800 projects.
