Since the beginning of July, the Mijas Town Hall has activated a new fire fighting unit with the aim of preventing forest fires and protecting the public in the event of an emergency. This reinforcement, which will remain operational throughout the summer until 15 September, will allow up to seven firefighters, three more than usual, in the time slot between 13:00 and 21:00 hours. 

As explained by the mayor of Mijas and head of this department, Josele González (PSOE), during the summer period the municipality is included in the list of areas at risk of forest fires in Andalusia, hence the council has seen the need to expand the team of firefighters who provide daily service in the municipality, "so we increase the response capacity, resulting in the benefit of citizens and also responding to a request that we had been conveyed by the firefighters staff for some time. 

Francisco Manuel Mérida, deputy chief officer of the Mijas Fire Service, pointed out that "in the summer months there is a larger population and, therefore, a greater risk of two incidents occurring at the same time, so this reinforcement will allow two interventions to be handled at the same time or, if there is a more important one, to go with the largest number of firefighters so that the action is more immediate and effective". 

In this regard, the mayor added that "this extended team will also cover the big events that are held in the municipality such as the La Cala Fair, the Mijas Pueblo Fair and the Cala Mijas Festival, events in which, obviously, security must be increased, not only for the Fire Department but also for the Local Police, Civil Protection and Civil Guard".

To make this possible, the fire brigade staff has had to reorganise their work shifts, "and that those on duty rest for 24 hours to be able to join the next day, all this taking into account the corresponding requests for rest or holidays", said Mérida. 

Improving the Fire Department

At the same time, the mayor of Mijas assured that the Town Hall is also working to increase the number of firefighters, which currently stands at 31, as well as to improve the infrastructure for this security team, "especially the new fire station, which is the great challenge that we are going to work on during this term of office to make it a reality as soon as possible".

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