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Rio De Janeiro Fire Department

Pioneering Spirit and Tradition

Founded on July 2, 1856, by Emperor Dom Pedro II, the Rio de Janeiro State Military Fire Brigade (CBMERJ) is the oldest and de biggest fire service institution in Brazil. Born out of the need to protect the then-capital of the Empire from flames, CBMERJ carries a pioneering spirit in emergency response and life protection in its DNA. The significance of its foundation is so great for the country’s history that its creation date (July 2) was immortalized as Brazil’s National Firefighter’s Day.

Today, CBMERJ is one of the largest, most experienced, and best-equipped emergency response forces in Latin America. The corporation has a workforce of approximately 13,200 active-duty military firefighters — highly skilled professionals strategically distributed across 130 fire stations and specialized units covering all 92 municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The magnitude of its daily operations is reflected in its impressive operational numbers. CBMERJ records over 310,000 emergency responses annually, which, during peak demand periods, translates to a rescue provided every two minutes. Among these missions, pre-hospital care, firefighting, natural disaster operations, and—with immense technological and tactical prominence—vehicular rescue and extrication stand out. In this area, speed, precision, and technical doctrine are decisive for the victims’ survival.

For the society of Rio de Janeiro, the uniform is synonymous with absolute safety, and the Brigade is viewed with profound respect and affection. On the national stage, CBMERJ acts as the major technical and doctrinal benchmark. Its protocols for urban rescue, pre-hospital care, and extrication in traffic accidents guide the training and evolution of several sister agencies across Brazil.

By integrating and supporting the World Rescue Challenge, CBMERJ reaffirms its historical commitment to continuous evolution, the exchange of rescue technologies, and, above all, its century-old motto: “Vida Alheia e Riquezas Salvar” (To Save Lives and Property).