Traga Humos (Smoke Swallowers): The Mexico City Fire Department

By Mario González-RománOriginal Print Publication: April, 2008

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The Mexico City Fire Department has been operating since 1887, and reports directly to the Mayor. They protect an estimated twelve million people, but because they often coordinate emergencies with neighboring states and the greater metropolitan area, you can add another ten million to that fi gure. There are 1,274 firefighters for the Distrito Federal (DF) alone, 150 of which are women. The fleet of vehicles at their disposal includes twelve mobile pumps, six telescopic ladder trucks, twenty-five water tankers, and four speedboats. They also have seven kits for containing dangerous chemicals. These brave and modest men and women put in long hours to the benefit of all citizens-no matter where or what income level-and carry with them many stories about rescuing men, women, and children. Since the department's founding, eighty-one firefighters have been lost in the line of duty.

The Fire Department Chief is thirty-six-year veteran First Superintendent Raúl Esquivel Carbajal, who took the position on June 1, 2005. His right-hand man and Operations Director is First Inspector José Luis Mendoza de la Torre.

In case of emergency, the 24-hour emergency number is 068. The FD can also be reached through the police communications center: 5768 3700, 5768 2443, or at the Merced Balbuena headquarters: 5768 2532. Keep these numbers near the phones in your home or offi ce.

Some Mexico City Stations relevant to our readers:

Estación Central "Comandante Leonardo del Frago", Fray Servando Teresa de Mier, corner of Av. del Canal Eje 1 Oriente, Col. Merced Balbuena, Delegación Venustiano Carranza, CP 15810. Tels: 5768 3700 and 5768 2532 (068).

Estación Tacubaya "Comandante Artemio Venegas Mancera", José María Vigil No.56, corner of Carlos B. Zetina, Col. Tacubaya, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, CP 11870. Tels: 5515 5994 and 5515 0437

Estación Alvaro Obregón "Comandante Isidro Solache", Av. Escuadrón 20, corner of Antiguo Camino a la Venta Col. 1ª. Victoria, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, CP 01160. Tels: 5271 3436, 5271 2480, 5271 3911 and 5271 3286

Estación "Comandante Enrique Padilla Lupercio", Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas Esq.Santa Cruz, Col. Portales, Delegación Benito Juárez, CP 03300. Tels: 5672 7129, 5672 8911 and 5672 9124

Estación Tacuba "Comandante Antonio Pimentel", Golfo de Gabes No. 29, Col.Tacuba, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, CP 11410. Tels: 5527 1576, 5527 7004 and 5527 9633.

The Mexico City Fire Department is always grateful for donations towards training and equipment. If you know of any department or organization in another country that would be interested in offering support, they would welcome it. Simply email me at Security Corner and I will be more than happy to help make the appropriate arrangements.

Mario González-Román is a private security consultant. His website is Www.securitycornermexico.com . Call or fax: (55) 5574 5228, Email: Frog_mario@hotmail.com