CMPC Multipurpose Fire Brigades: When neighbors play an active role in preventing and fighting rural fires
According to company figures, these neighborhood crews have participated in half of the containment efforts of the fires that have broken out so far this season. “Supporting the community in protecting their homes and lives in general is a great responsibility,” said Álvaro Sáez, crew leader and driver of one of the units.
Collaboration and community commitment are essential in the fight against rural fires in Chile. This means that alongside the Community Prevention Network, the CMPC Multipurpose Brigades stand out as an example of active citizen participation in fire prevention and fighting.
The units are made up of residents of localities near forested areas, and they play a crucial role in protecting natural and human assets. Equipped with 4×4 trucks, they constantly travel around the various areas and roadways, carrying out preventive patrols for the duration of the fire season.
In this case, 101 brigades of this type were formed under CMPC. Álvaro Sáez, crew leader and driver of the AMI SUR 13-1 multipurpose brigade, highlighted the work they do together with their colleagues: “It is a great responsibility to support the community in protecting their houses, property and lives overall (…) on behalf of CMPC, they are always present through the relationship managers, so that we do our job well and people are not put at risk during emergencies.”
An extensive and crucial role
The work of the Multipurpose Fire Brigades goes beyond prevention, since they are also responsible for protecting homes in the event of large fires. Their presence is key to acting quickly and effectively in emergency situations, providing support both in containing the fire and in cleaning, reconstruction and subsequent mitigation work.
Flor Epul, a manual worker on the Saavedra 13-2 crew, described some of the fire brigade members’ work. They not only control fires, but also protect neighbors’ properties. “My duties include working with the McLeod rake and helping out with the water pump, anchoring hoses and opening the stopcocks (…) I am the only woman on the crew, but that doesn’t mean I get special treatment. We work side by side with our male colleagues because we’re all trained to protect people, in addition to preventing and controlling forest fires near homes,” she said.
One of the most notable aspects of these fire brigades is that they are made up of the communities’ own inhabitants, who are perfectly familiar with the environment they operate in. Before joining these crews, workers are extensively trained, giving them the knowledge they need to prevent fires and help control them during the initial stages of an outbreak.
A very effective job
The role of the Multipurpose Fire Brigades with a focus on prevention has been highly effective. Using deterrence, they have reduced the occurrence of fires and also participated in containing half of the fires so far this season, according to CMPC data. Rapid intervention at the very start of an incident is the key to preventing fires from spreading and minimizing any negative impacts.
“Involving the community in the prevention and control of fires is key to reducing the damage they might generate. In that sense, multipurpose fire brigades, made up of residents of the same areas where they work, who know their neighborhood and their communities, have proven to be a very effective tool in reducing both the number of fires and the damage they give rise to,” said CMPC Forest Public Affairs Manager Ignacio Lira.
Thus, CMPC’s 101 Multipurpose Brigades represent a successful community collaboration model, where the union of efforts and the commitment of residents translate into greater protection of the environment and people. Their exemplary work reminds us of the importance of solidarity and shared responsibility in the preservation of forests and ecosystems.
