Adeje Volunteer Firefighters Mark 40 Years of Service in Southern Tenerife

The Adeje Volunteer Firefighters are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades as a cornerstone of safety in southern Tenerife. This milestone highlights how the region’s approach to civil protection has evolved, while also honoring the private initiative that filled a critical gap during the area's rapid tourism and population boom in the 1980s.

The corps was founded in 1986, when local business owners stepped in to provide emergency services that were not yet available through public channels. Starting with few resources and moving between temporary bases—including the Pueblo Canario Shopping Center and the Hotel Atlantis—the group eventually settled in Fañabé. Over time, it has professionalized and fully integrated into the Tenerife Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue Consortium, serving as a prime example of how volunteer efforts can pave the way for robust, coordinated public services.

Now recognized with the Gold Medal of Adeje, the organization handles everything from forest and urban fires to technical and maritime rescues. To mark the anniversary, the association is hosting a series of public education events. On June 21, the Plaza de España in Adeje will host an open house featuring equipment displays and workshops on CPR and anti-choking techniques, run in partnership with Dr. Jara’s "Zero Sudden Death Challenge."

Patricia Paulsen, head of the organization, noted that the anniversary is both a look back at their history and a reaffirmation of their founding values. The celebration will also include institutional events to honor those who have supported the project over the last 40 years. Ultimately, the anniversary serves as a reminder that even as the service has grown into a larger administrative structure, its core remains rooted in the altruism and dedication of its people.