Screenshot
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women firefighters in Panama by actively participating in the International Congress of Women Firefighters 2025. The event, held at the Aurora Convention Center, brought together over 500 female firefighters from 14 international delegations under the theme “Leadership and Courage: Women Firefighters in Action.”
During the inaugural ceremony, the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de la República de Panamá (BCBRP) was represented by General Commander Víctor Raúl Álvarez, Deputy General Commander Gonzalo Chan, and Secretary General José Batista. The NFPA’s involvement underscored its dedication to promoting gender equality and enhancing the professional development of women in the firefighting profession.
Eurídice Ibarlucea, NFPA International Business Development Manager for Mexico, delivered a presentation on “Fundamentals of Fire Protection Systems,” emphasizing the need for comprehensive training programs tailored for women firefighters. She encouraged female firefighters to proactively seek knowledge and request access to training resources from their superiors.
In a session on “Strategies for Responding to Electric Vehicle Fires,” engineer José Ignacio Quirós highlighted the unique challenges posed by such incidents, including risks of overheating, explosion, short circuits, and toxic gas release. He stressed the importance of specialized training and adherence to NFPA protocols to ensure safety during these emergencies.
The congress also featured an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding women in the firefighting community. Among the honorees were Colonel Matilde Torres for her exemplary leadership and Gabriela Ortega Revilla for her commitment to equity and the training of new generations.
The event concluded with the official opening of the congress, marking the beginning of an agenda filled with conferences, panels, exhibitions, and inter-institutional meetings aimed at fostering collaboration and advancing the role of women in firefighting.
About the Author
