In a city that for decades was known for its horizontal and traditional architecture, the arrival of tall buildings and skyscrapers has transformed the urban landscape, but has also brought with it challenges for emergency services, particularly firefighters.
With the real estate boom that Mérida is experiencing, vertical developments such as Country Towers and Vía Montejo are marking a new architectural era. However, this verticality represents a significant challenge for the Heroic Fire Department, historically accustomed to responding to incidents in low houses and low-rise buildings.
Urban growth in Mérida has not only implied greater population density but also the need for vertical structures that maximize the use of space. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in the last five years, the number of construction permits for buildings with more than six floors has increased significantly.
Although these developments promise modernity and comfort, they also introduce risks that require specialized attention. From high-floor fires to high-rise rescues, firefighters’ work now requires new equipment, advanced training, and infrastructure that keeps pace with urban growth.
Insufficient equipment. In Mérida, most fire stations have units designed for low buildings. Currently, there are only a limited number of telescopic ladders capable of reaching heights greater than 10 floors, which is insufficient compared to the pace of development of the city.
Specialized training: High-rise rescues or high-rise fire management require training in rope access maneuvers, forced ventilation, and the use of internal water systems such as sprinklers and vertical hoses. These techniques are still areas of improvement for local teams.
Response time: Vertical areas of the city, such as Altabrisa or Montebello, tend to have denser traffic, which can delay access to emergency units. Additionally, maneuvering in vertical developments involves coordinating elevators, emergency stairs, and complicated evacuation routes.
Complex fires: Modern building construction materials, such as glass and certain plastics, can cause fires that are difficult to control and emit toxic gases that increase the risk to firefighters and residents.
According to the Yucatán Civil Protection Coordination, work has been underway for some time to equip the Fire Department with cutting-edge technology. In addition, agreements have been established with private companies to reinforce evacuation and response strategies in new vertical developments.
Training workshops on vertical rescue and firefighting in tall buildings have also been initiated, in collaboration with experts from other cities in the country where this problem is common.
The Mérida of the future will not only be taller but also more complex. Firefighters, who have always been a symbol of bravery and service, now face the challenge of adapting to this new reality. As they have done historically, with effort and determination, they will seek to be ready to safeguard the lives of the people of Mérida, no matter how tall the buildings they must face.
By Roberto García Hidalgo for The Yucatan Times.
TYT Newsroom
