Fire Brigade - Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago - Pompa Italia - M42603

Fire Brigade - Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago - Pompa Italia

We are in Chile, more precisely in Santiago, almost two centuries ago.
In 1893, the Eleventh Fire Brigade Company was founded. Initially, it was not Italian; it would take another 21 years before a very patriotic son of Italian parents set to work to create it.
It's not unusual, in fact, for Santiago has many firefighting companies formed by immigrants from around the world, and so Riccardo Federici Botto, after three years of service in the 12th Company, sets out to open an all-Italian one.
In 1914, Riccardo began collecting signatures throughout the Italian community. Naturally, there were many problems to solve. One of many was to convince all the Italian immigrant companies of the importance of establishing this Company. Since problems never come alone, the German community also set its sights on the Eleventh Company, the same one Riccardo also wanted to revive, to open their own firefighting company.
After long struggles and a constant search for support from the Italian community in Chile, the verdict arrived on June 3, 1914.
Everyone was waiting in front of the Fire Department Command building in the capital, and so the celebrations began because the Eleventh Firefighting Company of Santiago de Chile was named "Pompa Italia."
From then until today, these firefighters, with such a unique background, have carried out their work with dedication and passion, both as volunteers and professionals.