“I enjoy bonfires more voluntary”

Question: What led you to exercise volunteering?

Answer: It all started 34 years ago. I have always liked to help others. One of the times I went through the old bus station I saw people dressed in orange that came from a service. I informed my request and from then until today.

What functions has developed since then?

I have volunteered at party events, sports, during the 1997 flood …

And how many bonfire parties have been working as a volunteer?

34 consecutive, because I went to work in April 1992. At the beginning I was under the orders of the people who carried the devices, always supporting firefighters and often put in their trucks. As time went by I took positions of responsibility until they made me head of the group to coordinate the events with Civil Protection.

34 years are many. Have you noticed changes in bonfires?

In my first bonfires I remember the Plaza de Luceros protected with beacon tape. We fought with people to go back and what they did was move the tape. Now there is more security, there are emergency plans, there are more police and more coordinated firefighters. People can be much quieter.

There is more security, but also more visitors. Are bonfires more dangerous?

There has been an adaptation of security. On the other hand, the one that comes does not adapt due to the ignorance of the emergency plans, of the evacuation roads, how it has to hydrate … Everything indicates everything. You have to enjoy, but with common sense.

How many volunteers do you work with you in bonfires?

In Alicante we are seventy volunteers.

And how do bonfires live being voluntary and not enjoying them, how does the majority do?

I enjoy them more being voluntary. In the end you make people enjoy the party. And before a necessity, such as when during the Mascletà we get forty attention on a holiday, you know that these people, if something happens, we will be by their side so that they end up the best possible before a lipotimia, a dizziness or any incident.

What is the most typical profile of a volunteer?

We have everything: retirees who want to spend time, students, volunteers like me who have another job, opponents of firefighter or police and want to live the experience … There is a very wide range.

Are there more or less volunteers every year?

It changes. We are generally between 70 and 90, but it is true that every time people look for their comfort more, and be moving on weekends. But I always say that one is volunteer because it is born and not because it is done.

On the other hand, what is the most extreme situation that has been found in bonfires as voluntary?

In 1996, when the Cremà was held in the Central Market and we had several burning attentions, there were stampede, people jumping on the cars … We were very recorded. There were more than twenty affected.