HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL: The firefighters of SMA

Fire is humanity’s oldest tool and its oldest enemy. No other discovery had a more dramatic effect on humanity than the moment when early man started a spark, fed it to become a burning flame, and kept it burning to warm himself, to cook raw meat, and to protect himself from predators. But fire, untamed, presents the greatest danger and has caused some of the worst disasters throughout history. Firefighting mirrors the history of civilization itself—a testament to human ingenuity and courage.

Archaeological remains indicate that ancient societies had to fight fires, but these efforts at fire extinguishing were unorganized and crude. During the Roman Empire, with a more dense urban population, fires could engulf and destroy large areas, and volunteer firefighters showed up at those properties that could pay for their services. The price for extinguishing the fire was likely negotiated on the spot, while the property was burning. Those first firefighting efforts consisted of buckets of water and perhaps carts to move them to where the fire was located.

The first fire department was developed, perhaps ironically, by Emperor Nero, who was blamed for the great fire of Rome. Roman firefighters were called Vigiles, and they patrolled the streets and could impose corporal punishment on those who violated fire prevention codes. The corps of Vigiles, grew to over 7,000 members, and became one of the most powerful, esteemed, and elite organizations in the Roman Empire. Fire services today are the direct result of the Vigiles.

Nero watching as Rome burns

When Roman civilization collapsed, organized firefighting virtually disappeared across Europe and had to be reinvented. For centuries, firefighting consisted of ad-hoc measures like bucket brigades. It was not until the Great Fire of London in 1666 that more organized firefighting efforts started with the eventual establishment of professional fire departments.

In Mexico, the first fire department was founded on August 22, 1873, in the city of Veracruz, a date later chosen as the national Día de Bomberos—Firefighter Day, to honor those pioneers. In San Miguel de Allende we have a sophisticated and responsive firefighter corps, whose founder and current president is Jesus Mercadillo.

I interviewed Mr. Marcadillo at the Centro de Bomberos next to Plaza del Conde. Friendly and chatty, Mercadillo was eager to show me the center and share the details of their beginnings almost 50 years ago. The idea started in 1977 due to the lack of rescue services in the city, and was established as the Red Cross of San Miguel in a building that no longer exists, in the small plaza where a bust of Stirling Dickinson now stands. Two years later, the group split, with the Bomberos focusing on extinguishing fires as well as rescue and first aid.

Before this, San Miguel had no firefighting system. When a fire started, the local one-man fire extinguisher rushed to the scene with his burro, two large jars of water strapped to each side. In 1983, hoping to get a firetruck and help from the community, the firefighters of the nearby town of Salamanca were invited to demonstrate how they put out fires.

The residents gathered as the stage was set before the Parroquia, with an old vehicle to be set on fire and then extinguished. The fire-fighting man and his burro arrived on the scene, but the animal tripped, fell, and the two jars came crashing down. Broken ceramic pieces and water spilled on the cobblestones as the public let out a communal gasp. The inefficiency of the old system could not have been better demonstrated if planned!

The Salamanca firetruck pulled up, and then, as the doors opened, a gray rabbit jumped out. The stowaway ran toward the Jardin, scrambling through the crowd as people attempted to catch it. Finally, the mayor captured the animal to the delight of all. After this most entertaining beginning, the old car was set on fire, and the visiting firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. The San Miguel population agreed that it was important to have a proper firefighting unit in the city; the rabbit became their mascot.

Although the inaugural event was amusing, there is nothing funny about fires and the work of firefighters. Jesus Mercadillo began with the creation of the city’s first fire department, but did not stop with that. Over the next decades, through dedication and a few fortuitous events, the department grew in scale and proficiency. One time, Mercadillo rescued a man’s car that had gone over a ravine, and when he refused to take any payment, the man handed him a card telling Mercadillo to call if he ever needed help.

In 1983, the city donated an empty lot, and the state of Guanajuato promised 50 percent of funding for construction. Mercadillo needed the balance. Getting dressed one morning, a card fell from one of his pockets, where it had lain for a few years. On a whim, Mercadillo called, and the man he had rescued answered. He held a high post in the federal government and happily facilitated the balance needed. Thus was born the current Centro de Bomberos, a modern facility that serves San Miguel with state-of-the-art technology.

On the morning of February 4, 1991, the bomberos were notified of a strong odor of gas in the Palacio Municipal, in front of Jardin Principal. Aside from being the city government center, it also housed the city jail. Shortly after the report, an explosion rocked the building, demolishing the guard station. This was the result of an attempted prison break.

The fire department arrived but found more to worry about than the fire itself. There was a limited water supply, and private tanks of water had to be brought in from various points in the city. In addition, there was an unexpected, but serious risk—the bomberos were notified that the prisoners were armed and ready to fight. Firefighters took shelter behind the walls of the Jardin to protect themselves from potential bullets, as well as subsequent explosions from stored ammunition in the building. Extinguishing this major conflagration took all day and was not completed until late into the night. Although this was an unusual circumstance, it shows how firefighters have to prepare for any contingency, including being fired at while performing their duty.

As the population of San Miguel de Allende grew, the need for additional firefighting trucks increased as well. Jesus Mercadillo had been advocating for more vehicles, but it took many years until this need was filled. This happened in 2021 when a woman in the state government agreed to help. Her name was Dennise Munoz Ledo, and she is now the governor of Guanajuato—the first woman in that position. Fulfilling her promise, she had the state provide a brand new, up-to-date firetruck in April of this year, and it carries her name.

Jesus Mercadillo and Casandra Carbajo Arteaga in front of the latest vehicle donated by the State of Guanajuato.

The Centro de Bomberos is an impressive facility with a monitoring room on the second floor where 911 calls are received. Multiple live TV screens display the locations of emergencies. When a call comes in, firefighters on duty 24/7 are immediately alerted through a phone network and respond to indicate their availability. While sitting in the room with Casandra Carbajo Arteaga, the administrator, I saw an actual incident appear on the screen as it occurred. Two vehicles collided on the Libramiento near the entrance to City Market. Within minutes, I heard the garage door open under us, and a truck pulled out with sirens blaring, speeding toward the site of the accident. Shortly, information came that there had been no injuries, only damage to the vehicles involved.

The way any emergency call is handled at the Centro de Bomberos is that an alert is issued to all the firefighters, and those who are nearby quickly head to the scene. The firefighters are volunteers, and most have other jobs, but they are always on call and ready to help the people of San Miguel.

Below, Jesus Mercadillo proudly displays the San Miguel de Allende firefighters’ flag.

We sometimes lose sight of essential services we don’t use frequently; services that save our lives when needed. That is the case with our Bomberos—the firefighters of San Miguel de Allende. Let us recognize them in particular on August 22^nd, the national day of recognition, but let us remember them every day—they deserve our gratitude for their dedication and skill; our lives truly depend on them.