The BUSF Ibero-American Network is a network of Delegations and Emergency and Natural Disaster Response Centres in Central and South America operated by highly trained local staff.
Although BUSF Spain can quickly mobilise to any part of the world, the Network was created with a view to creating local BUSF delegations. As well as making firefighters and first responders from different countries in the network the first responders themselves. By making vehicles, equipment and materials available, as well as delivering the training needed, to make countries safer and more resilient to natural disasters.
The BUSF Bolivia headquarters, established in 2006, is located in La Paz. Over the years, we have developed institutional strengthening projects, mainly focused on training firefighters and emergency response institutions, improving their preparedness for disasters, healthcare assistance, and forest fire management.
BUSF Bolivia has played a significant role responding to various emergencies and in the improvement of the response capacities to natural disasters in the country. The following responses are worth particular note:
Despite being limited in size, the BUSF Bolivia team has extensive experience providing emergency responses, working in close cooperation with the National Police’s Fire Brigade, SAR Bolivia and GEOS.
BUSF Bolivia has an adequate training and emergency response infrastructure, with a focus on specialised training in rescues in collapsed structures and natural disasters.
BUSF’s presence in the Dominican Republic began with the first aid and intervention efforts carried out in 1998, following Hurricane Georges and its impact on the Caribbean country. The BUSF Dominican Republic headquarters (2011), located in Santo Domingo, works closely with the Fire Department. We focus on training and equipment donation.
BUSF Dominican Republic (BUSF RD) has taken an active approach in response to multiple emergencies and in strengthening local capacities, in particular with the collaboration of the Santo Domingo Fire Department. The main responses performed by BUSF RD in the Ibero-American Network include the following:
BUSF RD’s operational team is small but highly trained, with a solid partnership with the Santo Domingo Fire Department, which allows them to respond efficiently in emergencies.
The headquarters in Santo Domingo are dedicated to coordinating emergency responses and the development of training programmes for firefighters and other response institutions.
BUSF has been operating in Ecuador since 2016. Its administrative headquarters is in Quito, while its operational base is in Manta (Manabí), a key location for emergency response in the region. Training projects are carried out to strengthen firefighters and first response institutions, along with cooperation efforts along the northern coast.
Since its permanent presence in 2016, BUSF Ecuador has played a key role in emergency management and community development. Its main responses include:
In terms of development, this has led initiatives such as:
Although limited in size, BUSF Ecuador’s operations team has extensive experience in emergencies and disasters, supported by strategic alliances with local first responders.
The current infrastructure is focussed on operations and administrative activities, with training capacity and coordination with other institutions.
<a href=”mailto:busf.ecuador@busf.org”>busf.ecuador@busf.org</a>
BUSF Florida was established at the end of 2024, with its headquarters in Miami—a strategic hub to coordinate international support and facilitate cooperation during emergencies. Although still developing, the aim is to establish an operational center with advanced capabilities for training and international coordination.
BUSF Florida’s main objective is to serve as a bridge between the Hispanic population in the United States, the local fire brigades and the Ibero-American Network. Its immediate objectives include raising funds and equipment for international emergencies, with a view to implementing:
In its initial phase, the team is focussed on developing strategic partnerships with US emergency institutions. The Partnership Agreement with Direct Relief in December 2024 is worth particular mention.
BUSF Guatemala was established in 2000 alongside various local Fire Departments, with the goal of becoming a meeting point for all emergency-related entities in the country. It currently has a Disaster Response Center (CRAC), which also serves as a training school for emergency response.
Part of the CONRED system and the USAR group, it responds immediately to any emergency that may be require such a response, such as a fire at the landfill in 2024 or the Fuego volcanic eruption (2018), as well as participating in international missions as part of the network.
The CRAC, supported by its team of instructors, provides specialised training and works in close cooperation with the different fire brigades and other local emergency services.
CRAC in Villanueva (Guatemala), a strategic location close to the capital, with a privileged location for quick mobilisation to any part of the country.
With a permanent presence since 2010, the main headquarters is located in Port-au-Prince, coordinating emergency activities and development projects, training firefighters and first response institutions, and implementing practical and sustainable solutions. We also carry out productive projects in the Port Salut area.
BUSF Haiti has proven to be instrumental in emergency response and community support. Its main responses include:
In terms of development projects, the following are worth particular mention:
Permanent liaison in Haiti, supported by the Ibero-American BUSF Network for responses and projects.
Priority is given to field operations and administrative activities related to water, sanitation and reconstruction projects.
BUSF has been operating in Nicaragua since 1998, following our intervention during the emergency caused by Hurricane Mitch. It has a Disaster Response Center (CRAC) in the city of Granada, inaugurated in 2008. Today, it functions as a fire station while also coordinating emergency activities and training at the national level.
Part of SINAPRED, it responds immediately to any emergency that may require such a response, such as hurricanes Eta and IOTA (2020) or at an international level, as part of the BUSF Network.
The CRAC serves a key role as a fire station and unified command post, supported by an infrastructure designed for training and emergency response.
BUSF Peru was founded in 1999 and operates through multiple offices across the country, enabling efficient emergency response and training activities in various regions: Iquitos, Puno, and Arequipa. It mainly develops cooperation projects focused on water and sanitation, as well as institutional strengthening.
Every year, specialised emergency courses are organised (Rescue, Fire, etc.), in addition to training in the proper use and maintenance of equipment and vehicles donated from Spain. The courses are also imparted to other emergency first responders, enhancing mutual collaboration across the region.
BUSF Peru has intervened in numerous emergencies at a national level (Pisco Earthquake 2005, COVID 2020-22 or Forest Fires in 2024-5) and an international level (Haiti Earthquake 2010).
In terms of development cooperation, the Agua Solidaria programme is being developed in Loreto (2004-present), providing water purification and sanitation solutions in areas of the Peruvian Amazon, in addition to a project to combat child malnutrition in Puno.
