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Antuco Firefighters Receive International Training to Handle Emergencies in High-Risk Areas

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In a unique initiative, the Antuco Fire Department has received training through an international project led by the NGO Bombers pel món, a Spanish organization from the Valencian Community.

This joint effort aims to strengthen the skills of local firefighters in various emergency management disciplines, from high-mountain rescues to handling wildfires—a constant threat in the province.

WORKING WITH ANTUCO FIREFIGHTERS

According to reports, the training began on April 3 and will continue until the 13th of the same month. It includes a series of modules and practical drills, allowing Antuco’s volunteers to be better prepared for future emergency situations.

“We are conducting a training project in various firefighting disciplines for the Antuco Volunteer Fire Company and members of nearby companies like Abanico, among others. We are very pleased with their receptiveness and commitment. They have shown a willingness to learn and apply new knowledge, which will undoubtedly improve emergency response,” said Conchi Verdú, a wildland firefighter from the Valencian Community and project coordinator for Bombers pel món.

Verdú also reported that the training includes advanced techniques for rescue in rugged and aquatic terrain, handling structural and vehicle fires, as well as wildfire control and suppression.

COMMUNAL DRILL

One of the highlights of the program was a wildfire simulation held this Monday at the Dr. Víctor Raúl Ruiz High School, located in a high-risk fire zone due to its proximity to vegetation and local weather conditions that favor fire spread.

The drill not only involved local firefighters but also included active participation from institutions like SENAPRED, the Antuco Municipality, and Carabineros, who worked together to assess and improve evacuation and emergency response plans in the commune.

The exercise simulated a wildfire affecting the school, with over 300 students, teachers, and staff evacuated in an orderly and efficient manner. The drill also included scenarios such as a firefighter collapsing on-site and the search and rescue of a trapped child inside the school.

A THREAT THAT MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Andrea Aravena, head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Department at SENAPRED, emphasized the importance of this exercise, noting that wildfires are a persistent threat that should be included not only in school evacuation plans but also at the community level.

“In many areas, wildfires are not properly accounted for in school emergency plans. This is partly because they often occur during summer vacation, but fires don’t follow the academic calendar. The peak wildfire season runs from September to April, making preparedness crucial,” Aravena stated.

Dr. Víctor Raúl Ruiz High School, due to its proximity to a densely vegetated hill, is in a high-risk zone. Additionally, regional weather conditions, such as the east winds known as Puelche winds, increase the risk of rapid fire spread.

These strong winds heighten the danger of wildfires spreading toward urban areas, making drills like today’s essential for evaluating response capabilities and improving evacuation strategies.

DRILL WITH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Diego Peña, superintendent of the Antuco Fire Department, explained that this drill is part of a broader training project involving other institutions and nearby communities.

“We requested Bombers pel món to supplement the training provided by the National Fire Academy, as we felt the need to go beyond traditional methods. We are now facing more mountain accidents and other emergencies, making this training crucial,” Peña explained.

The drill also included high-complexity scenarios, such as simulating an injured firefighter on-site and locating a trapped child inside the school.

Thanks to the maneuvers executed during the exercise, Antuco firefighters successfully evacuated 284 students and 79 staff members in an orderly manner without major incidents, demonstrating the effectiveness of their training in case of a real wildfire.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Estefanía Saldías Lizama, Director of Disaster Risk Management for the Antuco Municipality, also discussed future plans regarding wildfire preparedness.

“We are currently working with the Wildfire Prevention Network to conduct drills in rural areas of the commune, where scattered housing and residents with limited mobility pose additional challenges. It’s essential that the entire community is prepared and that our evacuation plans include everyone, regardless of physical limitations,” Saldías affirmed.

WHO IS BOMBERS PEL MÓN?

Bombers pel món is a nonprofit NGO whose main mission is to help those who help others through training and collaboration in rescue operations.

They assist in large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, where every second counts in saving lives.

“Our mission focuses on outreach, training emergency services in under-resourced countries to improve their autonomy and competence in responding to natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, or floods,” stated the NGO.

Source:La Tribuna