The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CBMERJ) has marked its 170th anniversary with a ceremony at its Central Headquarters, the delivery of new operational vehicles, and a tribute at Christ the Redeemer.
The event, held on July 2, brought together government officials, CBMERJ leadership, cadets and guests to recognize the department’s history and outline investment in future emergency response capability.
Acting Governor Judge Ricardo Couto attended the main ceremony and paid tribute to Rio de Janeiro’s military firefighters. He also announced the creation of a committee focused on prevention and response to extreme weather events.
Couto said CBMERJ had built “a history marked by honor, a spirit of service, and above all, a commitment to saving lives.” During the ceremony, he received the Grand Cross Medal of the Order of Military Firefighter Merit.
First-year cadets on the Officer Training Course received the Marshal Souza Aguiar Sword, a symbolic milestone in a military firefighter’s career and an official marker of entry into the institution’s officer training program.
CBMERJ also presented 31 new vehicles acquired with Fire Tax resources. The delivery included 18 Rapid Response Vehicles and 13 multi-mission Search, Rescue and Salvage Vehicles, known as ABSR units.
The department said the additional vehicles will expand response capacity for emergency teams operating across the state.
The anniversary program included the presentation of the Avante Bombeiro Merit Medal, awarded to civilian and military figures who have contributed to strengthening CBMERJ through partnerships and significant services.
Colonel Tarciso Salles, Secretary of State for Civil Defense and Commander-General of CBMERJ, said the department continues to uphold the values that inspired its creation in 1856: courage, discipline, service and commitment to life.
He said CBMERJ’s future priorities include technology, innovation, ongoing training and valuing its personnel, while preserving the legacy built by generations of firefighters.
The ceremony concluded with a technical and professional demonstration showing several missions carried out by military firefighters. The display included rappelling, tower climbing, inclined plane operations, inverted descent, underwater rescue, firefighting, pre-hospital care and search and rescue in collapsed structures.
CBMERJ’s anniversary was also recognized at Christ the Redeemer, where the statue was illuminated in red in honor of the firefighters who have served Rio de Janeiro for almost two centuries.
