The Puente Alto Fire Department is led by our Superintendent, Mr. Juan Ramón Gómez Bueno, who joined the Third Company on April 21, 1985. Despite his young age (16), he quickly began to stand out among his peers and was elected Assistant just six months after joining.
He has held the positions of Captain, First Lieutenant, Third Lieutenant, Inspector General, Commander, Second Commander, and Superintendent on multiple occasions. With extensive experience in various areas, he notes that he feels much more at home in operational roles, but that administration has been a challenging yet educational experience.
At the regional level, he serves as First Vice President of the Metropolitan Regional Council, which is composed of the 24 fire departments of the Metropolitan Region.
The Superintendent is the institution’s Legal Representative and the Officer responsible for charting the future of the Fire Department. Likewise, as part of his role, he must provide the guidelines that enable the department’s development over time, and his management is constantly focused on executing work plans, overseeing them, and managing the acquisition of resources.
Throughout 2025, the Superintendency has actively worked with the Operational Command to implement training projects, infrastructure improvements, and the renewal of personal protective equipment, as well as to ensure the repair of our major equipment.
Projects
Training
Today, the Fire Department provides resources and manages training for volunteers both domestically and abroad.
Fire Stations
One of this administration’s priorities has been to renovate the companies’ fire stations. While this is not a task that can be accomplished in the short term, the goal is to renovate all fire stations within five years. Work has been done on the roofs and electrical systems of the Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth Companies, with special emphasis on those requiring critical attention. Progress has also been made on the construction project for the First and Third Company fire stations, while simultaneously reviewing the lease agreements and projects for the Fifth and Ninth Companies.
Major Equipment
The aging of our fleet is also a concern. Today, the Fire Department has at least three fire trucks that have been in service for nearly 20 years. On the other hand, every year we invest in the Fire Department’s Technical Center, which provides timely and efficient repair and technical assistance for our vehicles.
Personal Protective Equipment
In 2025, 184 structural uniforms, 170 multi-role uniforms, 70 helmets, gloves, and capes were purchased for the majority of firefighters in the Fire Department.
Looking ahead, it is important to maintain the resources needed to continue replacing uniforms, improving fire stations, refurbishing the training campus, enhancing communications, and strengthening the work of the Technical Center—all while keeping in mind the need to replace some fire trucks.
