Catalonia fire stations are undergoing a significant transformation as the Generalitat launches an ambitious plan to install inclusive changing facilities across all 150 fire stations.
This comprehensive initiative comes ahead of a major recruitment drive that will see approximately 100 new female firefighters join the service in January, effectively doubling the current number of women in the force.
Catalonia Fire Stations Modernisation Timeline
The Department of Interior and the General Directorate of Firefighters have established a clear roadmap for implementation.
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Consequently, they aim to complete renovations across all professional and volunteer stations by 2030. The first phase prioritises 28 stations with the least adequate facilities for women, with an initial investment of €3.2 million allocated for these crucial upgrades.
Currently, only three stations – in L’Ametlla de Mar, Lloret and Palafrugell – have fully operational inclusive changing rooms. However, approximately ten more stations are expected to complete renovations before January 1st. This timing coincides with the arrival of the first recruitment cohort where 40% of positions are reserved for women.
The new design represents a fundamental shift from traditional gender-segregated facilities. Instead, it features individual cabins with showers, toilets and changing areas, all within a common locker room space. This flexible approach accommodates fluctuating staffing levels while ensuring privacy for all personnel.
Addressing Historical Infrastructure Challenges
Many fire stations across Catalonia were constructed decades ago when female firefighters were virtually non-existent. Therefore, women have often had to improvise with inadequate facilities, sometimes changing in cleaning cuprooms or using makeshift arrangements. The new inclusive model directly addresses these historical shortcomings while preparing for a more diverse workforce.
Sub-inspector Mari Muñoz outlines three key reasons driving the change. “Firstly, there’s the practical logistics of fluctuating station personnel. Secondly, many buildings simply weren’t designed for mixed-gender use. Thirdly, and most importantly, this supports equality and diversity by accommodating trans and non-binary firefighters too.”
The Generalitat’s commitment to modernising emergency services infrastructure reflects broader regional development priorities. Meanwhile, other public services are also undergoing significant upgrades, as demonstrated by the recent parliamentary demands for emergency alert system improvements.
Implementation Strategy and Workforce Response
The renovation programme will proceed in four distinct phases, with volunteer stations scheduled for completion last. Stations in Roses and La Vall d’Aro are currently working against tight deadlines to meet the January timeframe. Furthermore, additional stations including Olot, Sant Celoni, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet are scheduled for 2025 renovations.
While the changes have been largely welcomed, some internal criticism has emerged regarding the implementation pace. The CATAC union has even filed a complaint with Labour Inspection, arguing that the model “violates legal requirements” and maintaining that “non-mixed changing rooms are necessary.”
The transformation extends beyond physical infrastructure to include comprehensive training programmes. Firefighters in Lloret, where the new facilities are already operational, report positive experiences and emphasise that proper usage protocols have been essential for smooth implementation.
This modernisation effort forms part of the broader feminisation strategy approved in 2022. The initiative represents a cultural shift in how emergency services accommodate diverse personnel, ensuring that no firefighter’s privacy depends on handwritten signs reading “female firefighter in shower” – a common makeshift solution from the past.
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