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Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz on Monday inaugurated the city’s 4th International Firefighters Congress, describing it as a key platform to strengthen training, exchange experiences, and build cooperation among fire departments across Mexico and abroad.
The event, which runs through Friday, Sept. 26, is bringing together more than 500 participants, including firefighters, instructors, and emergency response specialists from several Mexican states and other countries. According to Tijuana Fire Department Director Rafael Carrillo Venegas, the congress reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to developing a well-trained, modern fire service capable of responding to emergencies effectively and efficiently.
This year’s program includes 17 workshops and one course covering a wide range of topics such as high-angle rope rescues with ladder trucks and cranes, elevator rescue operations, use of technology in emergency response, liquefied petroleum gas incidents, and fire investigation in relation to hazardous materials. Organizers said the goal is to give participants practical tools while promoting the exchange of knowledge across fire departments.
In his remarks, Burgueño Ruiz welcomed participants from across Mexico and other countries, highlighting the importance of unifying strategies and expertise in the firefighting profession. He noted that Tijuana’s fire department has earned prestige nationwide for its high level of training and operational skills, which have allowed it to respond effectively to emergencies while sharing best practices with other cities.
“The preparation is essential to facing the challenges of emergency response,” Burgueño Ruiz said. “But the true strength of firefighters lies in their commitment, altruism, courage, vocation of service, and above all, in putting their heart and soul into every action and every decision to protect lives.”
Carrillo Venegas added that Tijuana has consistently sought to extend its knowledge across the country, helping to improve the capacity of other departments. “Tijuana has made an effort to extend the knowledge we have acquired so that the brotherhood of firefighters can be equal or better,” he said.
The congress opened with the participation of local and international representatives, including Evelyn Peñafiel Guerra, director of Technical Support, Control, and Institutional Monitoring for Tijuana’s Public Safety Secretariat; Xavier Peniche Bustamante, president of the Pro Firefighters Association of Tijuana; San Diego Fire Chief Robert Logan II; Guamúchil Fire Manager Horacio López Valenzuela; Tijuana Civil Protection Director José Luis Jiménez González; and Cristian Rafael Burgos Ángeles, representing the congress instructors.
The congress, organized by the Tijuana Municipal Government in coordination with the Association of Pro Firefighters of Tijuana, is designed to reaffirm the city’s commitment to professional development and institutional cooperation. Officials said the event highlights the value of ongoing training and international collaboration to ensure the safety and well-being of communities.
