With the aim of strengthening the coordinated response of emergency services as the summer campaign approaches, the Community of Madrid Firefighters have carried out several forest fire simulations in a mountainous area of San Martín de Valdeiglesias. These practices, repeated annually for three years, allow for comprehensive rehearsal of forest fire intervention on the ground, covering all operational phases: from resource activation and initial deployment to sectorization, direct action on the fire, and final control and mop-up efforts.
Approximately 400 personnel, who have participated in these training exercises, will form part of the Community of Madrid's Forest Fire Prevention Civil Protection Plan (INFOMA) device during the period of highest risk, which runs from June 15 to September 30. These simulations are essential for preparing professionals before the campaign begins.
Regional firefighters, forest brigades and agents, as well as personnel from the Madrid Emergency Medical Service (SUMMA 112), participated in the drills, utilizing both ground and air resources. Coordination was extended to resources from other administrations, including seaplanes from the 43rd Air Forces Group of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and for the first time, units from the Madrid City Council Firefighters.
The simulated operation begins with a fictional alert from a citizen reporting a column of smoke. From that point, various units are mobilized from the fire station in San Martín de Valdeiglesias and other points in the region, replicating the real procedures for activating the device. To create a realistic scenario, difficult-to-access areas of high ecological value have been prepared, where small controlled fires are set on platforms, and artificial smoke is used to simulate visibility conditions and operational challenges.
Following the conclusion of each exercise, a technical evaluation meeting is held to analyze the performance, identify potential improvements in procedures, and reinforce coordination mechanisms among all services involved.
