The story behind Bomba Croata’s 123-year-old legacy in Chile

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

PUNTA ARENAS, 9 April 2025 (Hina) – The volunteer fire brigade Bomba Croata in Punta Arenas, Chile, is made up of 54 volunteers.

But interest among the younger generation in this risky profession is on the decline – a challenge for the brigade founded by Croatian emigrants 123 years ago.

It’s Saturday night in Punta Arenas, a city in southern Chile, but 31-year-old Pedro Mimiza isn’t out enjoying the nightlife.

When he goes out with his colleagues from the 4th Fire Company Bomba Croata, it usually means there’s a fire in the city of 145,000 people.

“It’s quiet for now, but you never know,” Mimiza tells Hina, standing next to a red fire engine adorned with the Croatian coat of arms.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

This bombero (firefighter) of Croatian descent is on night duty. Along with a fellow firefighter and the truck driver, he checks his mobile phone.

When they receive an emergency alert, they notify the rest of the crew via the Viper app.

Bomba Croata is a volunteer fire company founded by Croatian immigrants upon arriving in this South American city in 1902.

They had travelled from the Dalmatian coast in search of work. Soon, these new cattle ranchers, shopkeepers, and entrepreneurs came together to form a brigade to assist their neighbours – a gesture of gratitude for the hospitality shown to them in this faraway land.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

The brigade was designated number 4, as it followed the formation of Bomba Magallanes, Bomba Chile, and Bomba Alemana.

The Croatian settlers gathered tools, trained themselves, and eventually bought their first vehicle – a Studebaker – shipped from Zagreb.

Today, the brigade has 54 volunteer firefighters and three vehicles, with Mimiza serving as its secretary.

Their most recent call-out was on 23 March, when a house in southern Punta Arenas caught fire – likely caused by clothing igniting due to excessive heating.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

Alvaro Fuentes, a 28-year-old who joined the brigade in 2019, received the call at home. He made his way to the scene, climbed into the 15-seat fire truck, suited up, and headed out to help those trapped in the burning building.

“Unlike other fire companies, we don’t put out the fires ourselves,” explains Fuentes, a medical student. “We use axes and ladders to assist those doing the extinguishing and help rescue victims.” Bomba Croata also provides medical assistance, something Fuentes plans to offer professionally once he finishes his studies.

Today, Croatian heritage is no longer a requirement for joining the brigade.

“I joined because I wanted to help people, without expecting anything in return,” Fuentes says. “And because I was close to a Croatian family, I knew I wanted to be part of Bomba Croata.”

“Since our founding, we’ve never lost a single firefighter in action,” Mimiza notes.

He first joined Bomba Croata at age 10, having always been fascinated by firemen. Back then, the brigade had a youth school, and one could become a firefighter at 16, not 18 as is the case today.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

“The fire school was held on weekends, and you had to have good grades in both primary and secondary school to attend the course,” Mimiza recalls. Today, there is no longer a youth brigade – a threat to the brigade’s future.

“Recruiting young people is a major challenge. Interest in firefighting is fading among them, so we need to re-establish the youth brigade,” he says.

Mimiza officially became a firefighter in 2003, the year his grandfather – also a firefighter of Croatian descent – passed away.

“I was accepted the very next day. It was a way to carry on the family tradition,” he explains.

Bomba Croata has maintained roughly the same number of members over the years and is responsible for the entire city of Punta Arenas. The oldest member is 80, and volunteers continue active service “as long as their bodies allow”.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

A month ago, 18-year-old Martina joined as the brigade’s youngest member. She is one of six women in the unit.

Bomba Croata receives funding from both the city and the Chilean government, but the support isn’t sufficient. Recently, the local Croatian club’s women’s group, Damas Croatas, donated $1,000 to help the brigade.

(Photo:Facebook/Cuarta Compañía Bomba Croata)

However, there is no official cooperation with Croatia or its firefighting services.

Mimiza says that over the past 123 years, the brigade has preserved its Croatian identity in this remote corner of the world.

“People in Punta Arenas recognise us by our Croatian coat of arms,” he notes. “Especially when we’re coming to their aid.”