Two stories and the same passion

The reality within the Generalitat Fire Brigade has changed a lot throughout its history. Since its creation in the eighties until now, the Firefighters have become a fundamental pillar for the collective safety of the Catalans. The values that define the Corps, the vocation of service, the commitment to the citizenry, and the professionalism with which it responds have made it an undisputed benchmark inside and outside of Catalonia.

In the Firefighters 2030 Plan, the goal is clear: to achieve a staff of 4,000 male and female firefighters and more than 2,000 volunteers to guarantee a humane, modern, and benchmark service that is capable of acting professionally and effectively in any emergency. The key areas of the Plan focus on personnel, equipment and clothing, operational capacity, and feminization of the Corps. It is a strategic commitment so that both veteran male and female firefighters, as well as new and future recruits, can provide a coordinated and effective response in a new context marked by a changing and extremely demanding climatic reality.

In the face of these new challenges, the Corps must be up to the scale of the emergencies they will have to face. Among the Firefighters of the Generalitat of Catalonia, there are countless stories and realities that make up the Corps. In the extensive staff that forms it, there are diverse and complementary profiles, with different stories and inclinations, but who share the same vocation for the profession.

The voice of the firefighters

Carles García officially joined the Fire Brigade in 2005, but he began participating in forest campaigns in 2000. What motivated him to join the Fire Brigade was his love for nature. “I have always loved nature and my country very much; since I was a child, I wanted to protect nature, save the environment, and defend the territory,” he explains. The passion for the environment, the territory, and sports is something he shares with the vast majority of firefighters, which are characteristic traits of the firefighter profile.

Anna Trullols also joined with the intention of protecting the environment, but she was also motivated by the desire to find a job that is physically and mentally stimulating. “I really like having a job that is different every day, but at the same time is mentally demanding. I like physical work, learning to do things with my hands”. Anna has only recently joined the Corps: she finished the Firefighters School at the ISPC (Institute of Public Security of Catalonia) just over a month ago. Although she does not have long experience, she knows the scope and strengths of the Firefighters Corps, capable and ambitious: “The word to describe the Corps is versatile. We come from very different backgrounds and I believe that this versatility is what makes us great, what makes us better”, defends Anna.

On the other hand, Carles describes the organization as a big family: “It is a place where you meet people as fanatical as you, who hear the siren and go straight to the park. They tell you to go to floods in Valencia, or fires in Madrid, or in Galicia, and people fight to go there. It is a vocation, passion, a group of friends... A job that fulfills you, it is a great luck to be able to be part of it”.

In 2022, it was decided to apply a 40% reservation of places for women. The Department of the Interior's measure was applied with the intention of advancing the feminization of the Corps and increasing the presence of female firefighters in order to achieve a staff that is a reflection of society. Like many other firefighters and candidates, Anna has had to make many personal and professional sacrifices in order to focus on the competitive examination and manage to become a firefighter. "The examination process has been very, very hard. It is a difficult, complex process, it has many phases, many tests. I have had to make many sacrifices, like everyone else, but I was clear about the goal and that is what has made me endure the whole process until arriving where I am now".

However, women often feel that their ability to do the job is questioned, and even the validity of their access to the Fire Department. “A generalized feeling that we women have within the Corps is that we are forced to constantly prove that we can. Having to prove more than the rest all the time. It is true that it is a Corps that is still strongly masculinized”, she declares.

Finally, Carles and Anna are clear that firefighters are decisive in the face of the growing climate emergency scenario. Both believe that citizen collaboration is key to the proper development of their work. “Citizens should help us by following orders,” insists Carles. On the other hand, Anna highlights the work of the emergency services: “I firmly believe that we have very well-prepared emergency teams. An incredible civil protection in the context of Catalonia. What must be done is what is being done, that is prevention, prevention and prevention. Let us try to listen in order to self-protect and protect others.”