Chile marks 175 years of firefighting with parade in Santo Domingo

More than 500 firefighters gathered for a parade in Santo Domingo, Valparaíso, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Chilean fire service. The event featured contingents from the municipalities of Algarrobo, El Tabo, El Quisco, Cartagena, San Antonio and Santo Domingo. Juan Carlos Field, president of the national fire institution, highlighted the historic milestone, while San Antonio mayor Omar Vera marched alongside the volunteers and urged citizens to join the service. Local officials, including provincial delegate Soledad Loyola and Santo Domingo mayor Fernando Rodríguez, attended the ceremony, which resumed after pandemic‑related interruptions.

The parade was intended to showcase firefighters in uniform, promote community recognition, and reinforce values of solidarity, responsibility and discipline among the volunteer corps.