A team from the Barcelona Fire Department visited the Gràcia neighborhood this Friday morning to carry out prevention and verification tasks in areas designated for festival events. The goal is to ensure that personnel are prepared to respond to any emergency in an environment modified by decorations.
According to Gerard Prades, unit chief of Bombers de Barcelona, the inspection focuses on "the accessibility of streets that are interrupted by the decorations and identifying alternative routes to access any point in the neighborhood." The passage of emergency vehicles, including ladder trucks, and the functionality of hydrants have been verified.
This operation coincides with the progressive introduction of seven new light urban fire engines into the Bombers de Barcelona fleet, vehicles specifically designed for urban settings with narrow streets and high population density. These actions help identify potential obstacles and ensure rapid access for resources.
Special attention will be given to activities involving fire or pyrotechnics, such as the correfocs (fire runs) and parades. During these events, a fire engine with five personnel will be permanently stationed. For other emergencies, the nearest fire stations, such as those in l’Eixample and Vall d’Hebron, will be activated.
Although last year's incident on Verdi street is considered an isolated case, firefighters have reviewed the records. Since early August, preventive measures have been underway to ensure maximum intervention effectiveness and prevent significant fires.
