María Elena Fire Department Makes Progress Toward Construction of its First Fire Station

The María Elena Fire Department will take an important step toward building its first fire station. SQM made the dream possible by formalizing the firefighters’ right to use company land and giving the María Elena volunteer firefighters their own space to work, which directly benefits safety and the community.

SQM formally handed over the land at a ceremony announcing a cooperation partnership between the fire department, SQM and the local municipality. The agreement aims to support the firefighters’ noble efforts at the local level and provide the volunteers with optimal, safe conditions.

Jaime Domínguez Mena, Superintendent of the María Elena Fire Department, commented:

“We are very grateful to SQM for this strategic partnership, which the firefighters and the municipality have strengthened.  It grants us the right to use the approximately 6,000 square meters of land where we will build our main fire station and house first Fire Company Ernie Saavedra Esquivel. We have dreamed about this space. We need it to serve the community.”

Waldo Caqueo, Secretary-General of the María Elena Fire Department, noted how support and collaboration from SQM and the municipality have enabled good performance and local operations. “These land usage rights are essential for developing our district and for the firefighters’ work.  The firefighters are one of the institutions rated highest by the people,” said the volunteer.

Municipal authorities, including the Head of the Planning and Projects Unit at the Municipality of María Elena, Eduardo Ahumada, participated in the ceremony and remarked: “This very important milestone provides land to build the fire department’s permanent station. The space will contribute to the firefighters’ efforts and house the Emergency Operations Committee (COER in Spanish), which is critical for municipal coordination.”

Pablo Pisani, Director of Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs at SQM, emphasized the significance of the milestone for the María Elena community and their firefighters, “We are giving them the right to use the land so the firefighters can have a fire station in optimal conditions. We expect that to come to fruition in the short term. Collaboration with the firefighters and the local municipality has been fundamental to achieving the goal. We think the space will enable the firefighters, who serve the entire community, to respond faster, better and more safely.”

The María Elena Fire Department was formed in response to a need for administrative and operational autonomy from the Tocopilla Department, which supported the 6^th Fire Company of María Elena Walter Fernández y Luis Moya and the 7^th Fire Company of Quillagua. The María Elena Fire Department now administers the 1^st Fire Company of María Elena Enrique Saavedra Esquivel and the 7^th Fire Company of Quillagua, Quillagua Bomba.