Two weeks after the tragedy, there are still volunteer firefighters from numerous regions of Spain in the streets of the zero zone of the floods carrying out hard tasks like pumping out garages, opening businesses, and cleaning streets. One of the first teams to arrive were the firefighters from Ericam (Emergency and Immediate Response of the Community of Madrid), a unit formed in 2007 that deployed 31 personnel the day after the flood.
They perform firefighting tasks as in Madrid: pumping, searching for and rescuing people, opening doors, cutting gas lines, among other necessary tasks. Pumping out a flooded garage can take several hours, even when working with several pumps. In total, there are about 68 Ericam personnel in the area. A week after the disaster, although the initial chaos had begun to lessen, the work of these firefighters and emergency medical personnel remained crucial.
The team works in Valencia for more than twelve hours a day, from 7 in the morning until 9 PM. Although the canine team did not assist this time, the rescue dogs are ready to act quickly after an emergency to find survivors. Guillermo Gosalbo, the officer in charge of Ericam in Valencia, mentioned that sadly, they found a body last week.
Professionals like Cristina, a firefighter with experience in international disasters, compare the landscape to that of an earthquake, with the difference that here the buildings remain standing. After their door-to-door work, the contingent rests at the Blasco Ibáñez school in Benetússer, where they have received good treatment from the local community.
The work of the medical personnel is becoming increasingly vital, according to Inma Sanz, Deputy Mayor and Delegate for Emergencies and Security of Madrid. So far, the Community of Madrid has sent 292 professionals including firefighters, forensic doctors, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. 700,000 masks have been donated to Valencia, and support work continues with more volunteer firefighters and members of Summa-112.
The work of Ericam continues with more than 40 volunteers and 39 members of the Forest Brigades. Their work focuses on pumping water from garages, retrieving vehicles, and verifying the presence of deceased persons. Despite the challenges and the harshness of the first shift, the volunteers are committed to helping for as long as necessary.
