As a human group, the Firefighters have always lived under the risk and uncertainty implicit in their work. Team discipline and individual initiative play a determining role in equal parts. The internal organizational structure, with hierarchical positions of military nomenclature, coexists with the bonds that are established between firefighters, based on companionship, appreciation and leadership styles based on respect, as it can not be otherwise when your partner can save your life at any time. But what defines a firefighter?
The fire station in Lleida St. was opened in September 1928, on behalf of the Universal Exhibition. It was the first fire station of the Barcelona Fire Brigade designed and built for this use.
For several decades, its tower has been the symbol of Barcelona Fire Brigade and therefore, of the care of the city and its people.
It was operative a a fire station until 2000 and hosted the Fire Laboratory. In 2017 the building is returned to the citizens with a different use as the headquarters of the Espai Bombers-Parc de la Prevenció.
The firefighters are admired by children: They all imagine themselves wearing boots, jacket and a helmet and holding a hose ready to extinguish fire, or climbing up a ladder on a rescue ?
La complicitat ve de lluny: els Bombers de Barcelona al llarg del temps han contribuït a mantenir viva aquesta il·lusió a través de les visites escolars, orientades a donar consells de prevenció, participant a les festes populars o acompanyant els Reis d’Orient a portar regalsals nens hospitalitzats.
Firefighters risk themselves to help others. What makes them happy and proud is to finish a successful service and the best gift they can get is people’s gratitude.
The most exciting moment is when the “lights go on” . Although firefighters give their best, there are not always happy endings. The death of peers or accidents with victims, especially children, are the toughest strokes in a firefighter’s career.
