Andorra Firefighters Warn of Rising Structural Fire Risks Amid Urban Growth

The A118 firefighters' association has raised alarms over the growing complexity of structural fires in Andorra, pointing to recent incidents as signs that resources and planning must evolve with urban development and population pressures. Interior Minister Ester Molné has countered by praising the corps' professionalism and committing to ongoing dialogue.

In a statement issued Monday evening, A118 linked the challenges to fires at the former Aigües factory in Arinsal, as well as prior blazes at the Tiffany’s building, Els Serradells, and Lauredià Congress Centre. Taller structures, elaborate designs, and modern materials demand greater response capabilities, the group said, yet the service often operates with bare-minimum staffing during intense operations. This gap widens during population surges and tourist peaks, relying on firefighters' dedication, internal organization, and voluntary overtime rather than scaled-up planning.

The association highlighted a "structural disconnect" between service demands and available personnel, noting that recent regulations advanced without sufficient input from those on the front lines. Expanded duties now encompass nighttime helicopter rescues, advanced protocols like Índia medical services, prevention inspections and drills, out-of-country missions, teleassistance, and wildfire prevention—on top of non-core tasks such as routine road conditioning that divert resources.

A118's demands include boosting operational staff, reassessing corps size, redirecting irrelevant roles, aligning structures with urban expansion, embedding technical expertise in decisions, tailored plans for high-rise and dense areas, formal acknowledgment of new responsibilities, a decontamination protocol with proper equipment, risk-appropriate insurance, and career reforms respecting professional insights. The group stressed willingness to collaborate constructively but warned that safety hinges on operational realities. "Decisions made without regard for frontline conditions cannot ensure public protection," it said, adding that technical input "is not optional—it is essential."

On Thursday, Molné toured the advanced command post in Arinsal, expressing gratitude for the firefighters' efforts. "They are on the front lines, highly professional, and ready to risk themselves for public safety," she said. Responding to complaints of overlooked expertise, she voiced puzzlement, stating: "I have always valued them greatly and considered any technical suggestions forwarded to me as the corps' senior overseer." She invited further input on regulations and operations—primarily managed by corps directors—and pointed to active working groups updating anti-fire norms and pyrotechnics rules for nightlife venues. New measures require firefighter checks on safety compliance before issuing habitability certificates for tall buildings. In the absence of Andorran high-rise standards, French norms currently apply to construction approvals, providing interim safeguards, Molné noted.