The "Mario H. Aguilar" fire station of the Meritorious Fire Corps of the Republic of Panama (BCBRP) in the San Carlos district of West Panama province recently celebrated 56 years of service. Despite its long history, the modernization of equipment and facilities, as well as the appointment of more personnel, present its main challenges. Tomás Batista, General Secretary of the BCBRP, emphasized that one of the main concerns of this station is how to deal with fires that could break out in the housing complexes in the area, a growing phenomenon in the district. In January 2025, the BCBRP's board of directors approved an investment of $25,481,641.58 for the acquisition of new equipment, vehicles, technology, and improvements to various fire stations. Of this amount, $21,433,000 will be allocated to the purchase of 20 new firefighting vehicles. In addition to equipment renewal, the BCBRP is also taking measures to reinforce its staffing, especially in the Department of Suppression, Search, and Rescue (DOEXBURE). Currently, the station has two firefighting vehicles that, due to their age, have operational limitations. To address these needs, Batista detailed that work is underway on the purchase of new vehicles and specialized equipment. This area is key to responding to emergencies in a zone like San Carlos, which not only faces fire risks but also traffic accidents due to its strategic location and extensive beachfront. With these efforts, the goal is to ensure a more effective and efficient response to any emergency, improving the safety and protection of the community in the San Carlos district and its surroundings.
