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17 July 2026
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Fire stations of the world: Nijar opens first fire station after nearly €1 million investment, Spain
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Spain’s Níjar has inaugurated its first municipal fire station in the Polígono de la Ciudad del Motor, a €1 million facility designed to enhance emergency response across a 603-square-kilometer area. The Níjar Fire Station was opened in June 2026 after years of demand, investing nearly one million Euros to boost local emergency services and enhance protection for residents and visitors. The new complex spans 1 200 square metres across two floors, featuring offices, engine bays, workshops, communal work areas and rest zones designed to support efficient firefighting and emergency response.
The Níjar Fire Station is staffed by 16 professional firefighters and serves a population of over 20 000, addressing high forest fire risks and reducing emergency response times.
Mayor highlights commitment fulfilled
At the opening ceremony, Mayor José Francisco Garrido emphasized that the fire station marks the fulfilment of a promise made to the people of Níjar. The initiative began in earnest just 14 months ago with the laying of the first stone and now culminates in a fully operational facility. Garrido stressed that this is not only about completing a building but establishing a service that will safeguard lives, homes, businesses, and local agriculture. The mayor also framed the fire station as part of a broader push to strengthen public safety in Níjar, which has included increasing police numbers, modernizing equipment, and developing new operational units in recent years.
Institutional support and strategic partnerships
The realisation of the fire station was made possible through close cooperation between the Níjar town council, the Provincial Council of Almeria and the Levante Almeriense Fire and Rescue Consortium. During the construction period, these institutions ensured fire protection was maintained by agreement, enabling continuous service for the municipality. The Provincial Council president, José Antonio García Alcaina, described the fire station opening as a historic milestone answering a longstanding need dating back to 2003, when Níjar’s population growth first underscored the necessity of such a facility.
Impact on emergency services and tourism
The new fire station promises to provide quicker, more effective emergency responses due to its strategic location within the municipality. This improvement comes at a crucial time for Níjar, which sees its population triple during the summer months due to tourism. García Alcaina highlighted the station’s positive implications not only for local residents’ peace of mind but also for the tourism sector, especially the slow tourism for which Níjar is known in the province. The combination of stronger emergency services and growing visitor numbers should make Níjar safer and more attractive as a destination year-round.
Ongoing public safety enhancements
Beyond the establishment of the fire station, Níjar continues to boost its emergency capabilities with other investments. These include updating police vehicle fleets, incorporating new firefighting trucks from regional plans, and progressing with constructions for additional public safety facilities like a new Civil Guard barracks and a future police headquarters. These efforts collectively reinforce the municipality’s dedication to protecting its community and visitors alike while adapting to future challenges.
Source: Visiting Almeria
The Níjar Fire Station is staffed by 16 professional firefighters and serves a population of over 20 000, addressing high forest fire risks and reducing emergency response times.
Mayor highlights commitment fulfilled
At the opening ceremony, Mayor José Francisco Garrido emphasized that the fire station marks the fulfilment of a promise made to the people of Níjar. The initiative began in earnest just 14 months ago with the laying of the first stone and now culminates in a fully operational facility. Garrido stressed that this is not only about completing a building but establishing a service that will safeguard lives, homes, businesses, and local agriculture. The mayor also framed the fire station as part of a broader push to strengthen public safety in Níjar, which has included increasing police numbers, modernizing equipment, and developing new operational units in recent years.
Institutional support and strategic partnerships
The realisation of the fire station was made possible through close cooperation between the Níjar town council, the Provincial Council of Almeria and the Levante Almeriense Fire and Rescue Consortium. During the construction period, these institutions ensured fire protection was maintained by agreement, enabling continuous service for the municipality. The Provincial Council president, José Antonio García Alcaina, described the fire station opening as a historic milestone answering a longstanding need dating back to 2003, when Níjar’s population growth first underscored the necessity of such a facility.
Impact on emergency services and tourism
The new fire station promises to provide quicker, more effective emergency responses due to its strategic location within the municipality. This improvement comes at a crucial time for Níjar, which sees its population triple during the summer months due to tourism. García Alcaina highlighted the station’s positive implications not only for local residents’ peace of mind but also for the tourism sector, especially the slow tourism for which Níjar is known in the province. The combination of stronger emergency services and growing visitor numbers should make Níjar safer and more attractive as a destination year-round.
Ongoing public safety enhancements
Beyond the establishment of the fire station, Níjar continues to boost its emergency capabilities with other investments. These include updating police vehicle fleets, incorporating new firefighting trucks from regional plans, and progressing with constructions for additional public safety facilities like a new Civil Guard barracks and a future police headquarters. These efforts collectively reinforce the municipality’s dedication to protecting its community and visitors alike while adapting to future challenges.
Source: Visiting Almeria
