The Castellón Provincial Council Strengthens the Culture of Prevention Against Fires

The Provincial Council of Castellón has launched a public awareness campaign to promote a culture of fire prevention in the province. This initiative is embodied in the Fire Prevention Week 2025, which will take place from February 8 to March 1, with a program of activities reaching more than 10,000 people throughout the province.

"Public awareness and basic training of the population are key to acting quickly and effectively in case of fire," stated the Firefighter Deputy, David Vicente, during the campaign presentation at the Provincial Palace. Vicente was joined by the Chief Operations Officer of the Firefighters Consortium, Andrés Balfagó; the Head of the Prevention and Road Safety Area of the Mapfre Foundation, Antonio García; and the Managing Director of the Professional Association of Fire Technicians, Gabriel Muñoz.

One of the main objectives of this edition is to involve the children of the province as agents of change in their family environments. "It is necessary for them to acquire preventive habits from a young age and become educators in their environment," noted Vicente. In this regard, training workshops, talks, and recreational activities have been scheduled in fourteen educational centers, as well as in senior citizen associations.

The program includes open days at the fire stations in Nules, Segorbe, Morella, Onda, and Lucena del Cid, where visitors can get to know the facilities, vehicles, and equipment of the firefighters up close. Additionally, three evacuation drills will be conducted in Betxí and Benicarló, and a prevention fair in Torreblanca on March 1, with informative activities and practical demonstrations.

The Firefighters Consortium has expressed concern about the increase in residential fires: in 2024, 235 fires were recorded, with one fatality, and so far in 2025, 41 have already been counted. "It is essential to raise awareness about the installation of smoke detectors, a simple and economical method that can save lives," emphasized Andrés Balfagó.

The Castellón Council maintains a free smoke detector installation campaign for those over 65 years old, which can be requested through their official websites. This measure, along with training and public awareness, reinforces the provincial institution's commitment to the safety and protection of the population against fires.