Madrid mayor's hiring plan fails to meet promised firefighter numbers

Mayor José Luis Martínez‑Almeida pledged to raise Madrid’s firefighter force to 1,700 by the end of his term, but the union says the city still employs only about 1,500. Union representative David Gómez warned that staff are forced to work marathon shifts and cancel vacations to cover gaps, noting that current staffing levels have not met legal minimums for two decades.

At the same time, the Madrid City Council approved its 2026 Public Employment Offer, creating 1,583 general positions and an additional 974 jobs in Security and Emergencies, for a total of 2,557 new municipal posts. The hiring drive aims to reduce temporary contracts, replace retirees and strengthen municipal services. The plan, managed through Madrid Talento, includes both entry‑level and specialised roles such as administrators, nurses, psychologists and technical staff.