A sharp conflict has erupted in Pinto, a suburb of Madrid with a population of over 56,000, between the municipality and the regional authorities. The city’s mayor, Salomón Aguado (PP), has appealed a court decision that previously ordered the immediate shutdown of the local emergency service PIMER. This decision contradicts the position of the Madrid government and regional head Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who opposes the existence of such a municipal unit.
The legal proceedings began after a lawsuit from regional firefighters, who argued that PIMER duplicates the functions of professional firefighters and operates without the necessary qualifications. In March 2026, a Madrid court ordered the immediate closure of the service, which employs 11 staff members and 18 volunteers. Despite this, the city hall decided to challenge the verdict in a higher court, prompting a harsh response from the regional authorities.
Political Disagreements
The situation is particularly tense given that Aguado himself, while still opposition leader, previously handed over internal documents compromising PIMER to supporters of the service’s dissolution. At the time, he endorsed the position of the regional firefighters and criticized the overlapping of functions. Now, in power, Aguado defends PIMER in spite of pressure from the Madrid government and his own party colleagues.
According to El País, critics attribute the mayor’s change of position to his dependence on the local Pinto Avanza party, whose votes are needed to maintain the municipal majority. Representatives of this party insist that PIMER is one of the city’s most in-demand and efficient services, allowing for a faster response to emergencies than regional agencies.
Authorities and unions react
The Madrid government emphasizes that issues of fire safety and emergency response are under the exclusive authority of regional agencies. Representatives of the firefighters’ union describe PIMER as a “low-quality service” and point to a lack of coordination and professionalism. In response, the municipality states that their appeal is not directed against the region but specifically against the plaintiffs—the firefighters who filed the lawsuit.
The future of PIMER became the central topic at the first city council session following the court’s decision. The PP and Pinto Avanza factions submitted a joint resolution in support of the service, while the socialists opposed it and called for the mayor’s resignation. Pinto Avanza representatives stress that dismantling PIMER is unacceptable for them and could lead to the breakdown of the coalition agreement.
Context and consequences
The PIMER service was established in 2008 and has since repeatedly become a subject of disputes between the municipality and regional authorities. In major cities of the Madrid region, municipalities are allowed to create their own emergency services, but regional authorities insist on strict coordination and adherence to standards. According to union representatives, if a city wants to have its own firefighters, it should build a full-fledged fire station and create permanent positions, which requires significant expenses.
The discussion around PIMER in Pinto reflects a broader trend of conflicts between municipalities and regional authorities regarding authority and funding for emergency services. Similar disputes have already impacted budgetary decisions in other regions, as recently happened in Catalonia, where a large loan package for public spending was approved — you can find out more in the article on new budget measures in Catalonia.
