Firefighters of Costa Rica

Published on 22 September 2022

The Costa Rican Fire Department is a public service that is part of the Ministry of Public Security of Costa Rica, with responsibility for fire prevention and extinguishing.

The organization is made up of highly qualified professionals who have undergone rigorous training to be able to perform their duties.

History

The story narrates the events that took place in San José, on January 26, 1864, after a fire in the house of Don Francisco María Iglesias. As a result, Costa Ricans were induced to form a properly organized fire department.

With the enormous concern that this incident caused among the neighbors, on February 15 of that same year, the Municipality of San José agreed to initiate negotiations, including collecting a voluntary contribution from the citizens, to bring a “fire pump” from the United States. It arrived in the capital on June 20, 1865. Simultaneously, the Municipality of San José prepared and presented to the Executive Power, the first Official Regulation of the Fire Department, which was approved on July 27, 1865.

Later, the first response agency, run by the Municipality of San Jose, was established. Later, the first signs emerge of what some call the “fire plague” that reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century. To make easy profits, property was insured against fire with double insurance and then intentionally burned to collect the respective compensation.

Despite the effects of the fires, the Fire Department still operated through the government. In 1912, as citizen concerns grew, the idea arose to modernize the existing extinguishing equipment. That is, with two steam pumps and the acquisition of an “automobile system” pump. Similarly, the need for the capital’s municipality to concern itself with the reinstatement of the fire department arose again. The reason was that the police could no longer cope with the dual function of putting out fires and maintaining public order.

The rulers of the time observed the need to improve fire prevention, protection and firefighting. After the creation of the Banco Nacional de Seguros, on May 29, 1925, the President of the Republic, Mr. Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno, decided that the Fire Department would become a branch of the Bank. Currently the National Insurance Institute (INS), so that it would be in charge of its administration and endowment. Finally, the Bank authorized the Fire Department to create a volunteer fire department, the first of which was organized in 1927, being formally constituted on July 25.

Firefighters

The Foundation Bomberos de Costa Rica was founded in 1990 and its mission is to promote and support firefighting, rescue and prevention of fires, accidents and other disasters. It has been an important part of Costa Rica’s history since it contributed to save a great number of people from a fire that could have been catastrophic for the country. Today it has more than 2,000 members who are organized in brigades that are located in the 7 provinces.

Emergency services are the public organizations that provide emergency response to a community. They help save lives and reduce harm by providing rescue and relief efforts during natural disasters.

In fact, firefighters are part of the emergency services. They work to prevent, prepare for and respond to fires that may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as accidents, arson or natural causes such as lightning strikes.

In Costa Rica, the country is divided into six regions and each region has a fire department. The fire department in Costa Rica consists of more than 2,000 firefighters. The firefighters’ job is to provide emergency care to victims of fires and other life-threatening emergencies.

Although the Costa Rican Fire Department is a volunteer organization, it responds to more than 60,000 emergencies a year.

In summary

Foundation Bomberos de Costa Rica was founded in 1990 and its mission is to promote and support firefighting, rescue and prevention of fires, accidents and other disasters.
Firefighters handle emergency medical services and firefighting, as well as other emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.
Emergency services are the public organizations that provide emergency response to a community. They help save lives and reduce harm by providing rescue and relief efforts during natural disasters.

Author: Zelda Walters for Sensorial Sunsets