Bagolino Fire Brigade Honored for 15 Years of Service on St. Barbara
Since 1779, the year of the famous fire in Bagolino that cost many lives, the town has never been caught unprepared in the face of fire emergencies.
Annual Meeting and Recognitions
As every year, on the occasion of St. Barbara, the patron saint of firefighters, an gathering was held at Cerreto involving the Bagolino Fire Brigade, the local government, represented by Mayor Marco Scalvini, and the police forces, including Marshals Giacomo Dal Prete and Diego D’Agostino.
The presence of the latter was very significant, due to ongoing collaboration, for the multiple interventions they carry out within the territory alongside the fire brigade. During the annual celebration, some honors were awarded to volunteers of the Bagolino group, handed out by the Minister of the Interior, responsible for the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Fire Services.
The awarding of these honors recognizes specific meritorious service over the fifteen years of activity performed in service of the community of Bagolino and the surrounding territory.
The minister decided to award six volunteers the Cross of Merit for Seniority, with a certificate of honor and a badge to be worn on the uniform.
Volunteers Osvaldo Care, Diego Melzani, Mauro Melzani, Mauro Pelizzari, Fernando Salvadori, and Darlo Zanetti received awards from the hands of the mayor, who participated officially, in an atmosphere of deep emotion.
An additional gold medal with a badge was awarded to squad leader Gilberto Lombardi, in recognition of 25 years of service.
The mayor, in his address, emphasized that the Bagolino community owes a strong debt of gratitude to these humble and silent individuals who, in anonymity, undertake volunteer work at the risk of their own lives to protect others and safeguard the territory.
“Many times they don’t even receive thanks, but we know that citizens are more at ease, knowing that, in case of danger, someone is watching over their safety.”
This is the strong sense of responsibility that drives the volunteers. Marco Scalvini recalled the fire that struck a few years ago, burning dozens of hectares of forest and causing the closure of the S. Antonio road, which led to the town’s isolation.
At that time, much of the vegetation on the slope overlooking Lake Idre, near the Montesuello Ossuary, went up in flames for about a week.
The firefighters, with the help of many volunteers, committed themselves personally to contain the blaze.
The Presence of the Fire Brigade
During the celebration, it was emphasized that Bagolino is one of the few towns to have a Fire Brigade Corps, consisting of around twenty volunteers.
To facilitate the work of these individuals, the local government, over the years, has installed a series of fire hydrants in the historic center to prevent the oldest buildings — which are built close together — from acting as additional tinder during a fire.
It was also underscored that the work carried out by these volunteers needs continuity, and new forces are required to sustain the effort made so far by the current group members.