Brazil's Federal District Firefighters Celebrate 170 Years
On 2 July, the Brazilian National Congress held a joint solemn session to mark the 170th anniversary of the Federal District Military Fire Brigade (CBMDF). Senators Izalci Lucas (PL‑DF), who chaired the event, Humberto Costa (PT‑PE) and Deputy Alberto Fraga (PL‑DF) addressed legislators, emphasizing the corps’ evolution and daily heroism. Izalci Lucas quoted: “Há um som que a cidade aprendeu a reconhecer… enquanto a sirene toca, há sempre alguém correndo na direção contrária.”
The ceremony coincided with National Firefighter Day and featured a performance by the CBMDF band. The brigade’s commander‑general, Colonel Moisés Alves Barcelos, highlighted that the force now comprises 5,154 members and handled almost 200 000 emergency calls last year, saving thousands of lives. He also noted the corps’ social projects, serving about 1,300 seniors and 1,500 children under 14 in various district programs. Senator Lucas urged the approval of PEC 01/2025, which seeks to give the Distrito Federal permanent autonomy over its constitutional fund, removing federal control over salary adjustments and recruitment for local security forces.