This afternoon, the exhibition 'When the Siren Sounds' has been inaugurated at the Old Hospital of Santa María La Rica, which marks half a century of firefighting history in Alcalá de Henares. The event was attended by prominent authorities, including the Culture Councillor, Santiago Alonso; the Director General of the Madrid 112 Safety and Emergencies Agency, Pedro Antonio Ruiz, and Juan Aurelio Ambite, the commissioner of the exhibition.
The ceremony also brought together notable figures such as Pablo Cristóbal Mayoral, Director General of Emergencies; Antonio Pérez Crespo, Chief of the Fire Department of the Community of Madrid, and Matías Monedo, Chief of the Alcalá Fire Station. The Security Councilor, Orlena de Miguel, along with other members of the local government, were also present.
During his speech, Santiago Alonso emphasized the importance of this anniversary, underscoring the respect and admiration that society has for the fire department, whom he described as brave and committed to the public welfare. "In 2025, we celebrate the 50th anniversary with gratitude for his indispensable work," said Alonso.
The exhibition, which will be open until the end of the year, presents a collection of historical firefighting materials, ranging from equipment used over the years to photographs and videos that narrate the evolution of the service. It also offers a tour of the city's most significant interventions and recalls the origins of the corps, tracing back to the first brigade organized in 1861 by the La Complutense Mutual Fire Insurance Society.
This exhibit is part of the 50th anniversary commemorative activities, joining other events such as the spectacular mural by Sfhir on the fire station's tower, the firefighters' opening address at the Alcalá Fairs, and an upcoming race for the Madrid Community Firefighters Memorial.
The José Hernández Room hosts this exhibition at 3 Santa María La Rica Street, with free admission and visiting hours from Tuesday to Sunday. It is a unique opportunity to learn about the history and the positive impact of firefighters in Alcalá de Henares.
