Andorra Fire Service Faces Aging Workforce of 50 and 25-Year-Old Fleet

Andorra's fire service is confronting an aging workforce and vehicle fleet, with the government acknowledging a "very aged" mobile park as it plans progressive renewals over the next five years.

The Department of Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue (DPEIS) employs 138 staff, including 121 firefighters with an average age of 50. Government data, provided in response to questions from Social Democratic general councillor Pere Baró on 27 April, project 24 retirements from 2026 to 2030: six in 2026, seven in 2027, five in 2028, four in 2029, and seven in 2030. The 51-55 age group is the largest, with 31 members, followed by 29 aged 46-50.

To manage this turnover, officials launched a recruitment process for six new firefighters, published in the Official Bulletin (BOPA) on 25 May. Vacancies will be filled via standard selection procedures, while the government evaluates potential staff expansions linked to the forthcoming National Emergencies Centre.

The fleet's condition has drawn particular attention. Of 50 vehicles—including ambulances, trucks, vans, trailers, and others—17 operational trucks average 25 years and four months old, with seven exceeding 30 years. Notable examples include a 1985 Mercedes Unimog forest truck (41 years old at the central park), a 1990 traffic accident truck (36 years), two 1991 Magirus vehicles (a 30-metre aerial platform and pump truck, both 35 years), two 1995 Iveco Eurocargo pump trucks, and a 1996 rescue vehicle. Lighter vehicles average 12 years and seven months, including two Fiat Pandas from 2005 and 2006; ambulances average six and a half years.

These older vehicles require annual inspections, with many checked every six months due to their age. Recent technical inspections found no issues, though maintenance demands are high, spare parts are harder to source, and emissions are elevated.

In October 2025, DPEIS submitted a five-year renewal plan through 2030 to replace the oldest units preemptively and maintain operations. Key actions include a new ambulance this year, upgrades to 1991 and 1995 urban pump trucks, replacement of 1990 and 1996 rescue trucks, a new aerial platform in 2030, and substitution of the 1985 forest vehicle by then (at 45 years). The schedule may adjust for operational needs, breakdowns, or incidents, with an update planned before year-end.

On staff safety, protocols for decontaminating protective gear are in place, including cleaning procedures and a manufacturer agreement for periodic reviews of older equipment. No extra budget is required.