Antonio Tortosa (TECNIFUEGO): fire safety must be a public policy priority

What are the main lines of action of TECNIFUEGO for 2026?

The association’s roadmap is very much focused on anticipating the new challenges currently facing the fire protection sector. To this end, we are focusing our efforts on three key areas: strengthening technical and regulatory frameworks; adapting to the new risks arising from the energy transition and digitalisation; and raising public awareness of a culture of prevention.

We also look to continue strengthening sectoral representation and broadening participation within the association, by bringing in new technical profiles, particularly engineers and companies involved in the specification and design of installations. All this while keeping our main objective firmly in mind, which is none other than to help improve the safety of people and their surroundings in the face of fire risk.

What contact are you maintaining with public administrations, and what are your objectives?

TECNIFUEGO remains in constant dialogue with various public authorities and bodies to make progress on issues relating to fire safety, prevention, regulation and training within the sector. Over the past few months, we have held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Industry to discuss issues such as the regulation of fire alarm receiving centres (CRI) and the remote management of fire alarms, an area where progress needs to be made towards a clearer and more specialised framework.

We have also highlighted the need to raise public awareness of fire risks, particularly in homes, before various organisations. In this regard, during a recent meeting with the Government Delegation in the Community of Madrid, we highlighted the importance of promoting public awareness campaigns aimed at the general public, similar to those already being carried out in other areas of safety and prevention, such as those promoted by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT).

We also continue to play an active role in initiatives geared towards improving professional qualifications and in UNE’s technical standardisation committees, contributing to the development of standards that enhance the safety and reliability of installations.

One of TECNIFUEGO’s priorities for this year is to step up public awareness and communication. How do they plan to achieve this objective?

We believe that fire safety cannot be confined solely to the technical or professional sphere. Prevention must also form part of the everyday culture of the public. That is why we want to take awareness-raising and outreach a step further, by launching campaigns and producing information materials with messages that are more direct, practical and accessible to the general public.

We also want to increase the visibility of these messages in the media, on social media and through public information campaigns, while also working with public authorities, the fire service and other organisations to broaden the reach of these initiatives.

What measures will you take to promote the gradual integration of engineering into the association’s structure?

Engineering plays an increasingly important role within the fire safety ecosystem, particularly in a context characterised by new materials, more complex buildings and emerging risks associated with the energy transition.

At Tecnifuego, we wish to continue to bring on board professionals specialising in design, consultancy and technical specification to broaden the association’s overall vision and strengthen our technical and regulatory work. To this end, we are promoting a more open and cross-cutting structure, encouraging engineering firms to take part in working groups, technical conferences and forums for debate, and strengthening collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the PCI value chain.

 What is the aim of initiatives like Días del Fuego?

The Días del Fuego (Days of Fire) initiative looks to create forums for networking and technical discussion for professionals from across the fire safety sector, so they can share knowledge, analyse trends and discuss the main challenges facing the sector.

Through these conferences, we address a wide range of issues relating to regulatory developments, technological innovation, facilities maintenance, building safety and operational interventions. At the same time, they also serve to explore new risk scenarios that are of particular concern to experts, such as lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles and photovoltaic installations – areas in which the sector continues to work towards developing increasingly effective solutions and technical criteria.

The Dias del Fuego initiative also helps bring this debate to different cities and strengthen regional links with professionals, public authorities and organisations involved in fire safety.

What challenges is the sector currently facing?

Beyond technological and regulatory advances, we believe that one of the sector’s major challenges is to continue to ensure that fire safety remains a priority within society and in public policy. Fire safety has a direct impact on people’s safety, the resilience of buildings and the continuity of many economic activities; it is therefore important to continue promoting a stronger culture of prevention and a more integrated approach to safety.

At the same time, the sector is moving towards increasingly smart and connected solutions, capable of monitoring facilities in real time and anticipating potential incidents. All of this opens up new opportunities to improve emergency prevention and response, but it also requires a continued focus on strengthening training, technical expertise and collaboration among all concerned.