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How do neighborhood emergency brigades work? The example of residents in the Turquía sector of San Rosendo

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The experience of the February 2023 wildfires led to the creation of these brigades, which serve as the first line of response for all types of emergencies—not just wildfires, but also health and safety issues.

It’s unclear exactly how it started, but what is certain is that on Thursday morning, a wildfire broke out in the Turquía sector, a rural area located eight kilometers east of the town of San Rosendo.

Although Conaf’s forest brigades and CMPC’s teams, along with volunteer firefighters, quickly arrived to tackle the emergency, the first ones on the scene were the residents themselves.

But these aren’t just curious onlookers wanting to know what’s happening—they are members of the Emergency and Social Assistance Brigade of the Callejones sector in the San Rosendo municipality.

They act as a kind of frontline force, ready to stop the spread of flames and alert authorities about the emergency, while also providing precise details about its location and growth.

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Their contribution is vital. The residents know the terrain like no one else, and the information they provide is crucial for guiding the work of specialized teams.

This type of community organization gained strength after the violent February 2023 wildfires, which left a trail of destruction, including more than 20 fatalities.

In 2024, most municipalities in the Biobío province now have community brigades that work in coordination with specialized agencies.

The Emergency and Social Assistance Brigade of the Callejones sector is led by Karen Maureira and consists of 27 members, 15 of whom are active and "always ready to respond if needed."

She explains that after the major February 2023 wildfires, they formally established the brigade mid-year "to help our neighbors in rural areas. There are many elderly people who need assistance, so we came together and created a WhatsApp group to stay connected."

She clarified that the initial idea was "to help prevent fires because we’re closer to the area, so we assist in creating firebreaks or whatever is necessary."

She describes their emergency response: "We block traffic so firefighters and police can arrive, and we guide them to the exact location. We know all our neighbors and where they live."

But it’s not just about disasters. When a neighbor has a health issue, "we go to help while waiting for the ambulance, doing what we can to assist."

The brigade’s work has even expanded to security matters, such as reporting suspicious vehicles or people lurking around.

Karen Maureira emphasizes that while "we all have our jobs, the love that grows from wanting to help others is incredible (...) We’re an organized group, receiving funding from the San Rosendo Municipality, and we have a neighbor who’s a firefighter—our brigade leader who coordinates and supports us."

That’s why, as in last Thursday’s emergency, they immediately sprang into action to help however necessary, preventing the situation from escalating.

"We’re always on alert, as they say. Because we have to go out and help our neighbors while we still can," says Doris González, a brigade member.

Source:La Tribuna