This Wednesday, 9 November sees the Barcelona Fire Brigade officially open its exhibition in the MUHBA Oliva Artés, entitled “Protecting Barcelona. Fire fighters and fire prevention, 1833-2022”, a production that explains how fire-prevention measures have applied in the city ever since the creation of the Barcelona Fire Brigade in 1833.

The exhibition takes you on a journey through the city’s fire-prevention measures and major fires as well as the history of the brigade. To illustrate all that, it boasts an important display, for example, of historical vehicles, photographs, glass cabinets with communication and warning devices, audiovisuals of large-scale fires and a model of the Llevant fire station. 

The exhibition aims to highlight the key role of prevention, which is as important as fire extinguishing or rescue operations, among the work carried out by the Barcelona Fire Brigade every day to protect against fires. 

Demographic changes, urban development growth, industrialisation and social crises have shaped preventive actions throughout history. The fires declared in Barcelona over the years have been used as indicators of the city’s state of fire prevention in each period. 

Barcelona has also become a safer city over the last two centuries, since the creation of a professional, well-equipped fire brigade, thanks to the establishment of basic legal safety regulations in the event of fire and an inspection system that guarantees their enforcement. In addition, priority has begun to be given to training and information initiatives aimed at citizens. 

Fringe activities 

The exhibition entitled “Protecting Barcelona. Fire fighters and fire prevention, 1833-2022” is complemented with several activities being held at the MUHBA Oliva Artés itself, in the Espai Bombers -reservations: espaibombers@bcn.cat- and Zona Franca. 

Notable activities here include a cycle of historical speeches on prevention, as well as monographs on the big fires that have broken out in the city since 1800, such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu fire. 

There will also be a session on gender perspectives, technical day events and demonstrations on the functioning of steam pumps, vehicle releasing and high-altitude urban rescuing. 

Prevention activities for children will also be offered every fortnight, on Saturdays, with an educational Barcelona Fire Brigade vehicle: PREvenim!