Mexico City, August 8, 2026 – In a proactive move to enhance household safety and curb the rising number of domestic accidents, Mexico City has inaugurated its first registry of certified gas and electricity installers. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Heroic Fire Department of the capital and the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) in Azcapotzalco, aims to professionalize the sector and mitigate risks associated with faulty installations.
A Response to a Pressing Need: Preventing Accidents
The urgency of this program is underscored by alarming statistics. According to First Superintendent Juan Manuel Pérez, director of the Heroic Fire Department, the department responds to over 170 reports daily. More than 20% of these incidents are related to hydrocarbons, making gas-related emergencies the number one concern. “Gas is our number one emergency,” Pérez stated in an interview, highlighting the critical need for improved safety measures.
The program was conceived following a recent explosion in Cuernavaca, a neighboring state, involving a gas tanker supplying a home. This incident resulted in 22 injuries, three of them severe, and affected 34 homes, serving as a stark reminder of the potential devastation caused by improper gas handling and installations.
Rigorous Training for Enhanced Safety
The call for applications, launched late last year, attracted 350 registrations. From this pool, 25 individuals-23 men and 2 women-were selected to form the inaugural class. These professionals underwent an intensive 45-hour training program, spread over two weeks, at UAM Azcapotzalco and the Heroic Fire Department facilities. Applicants were required to have a minimum of three years of verifiable experience in gas or electricity installations.
The curriculum was comprehensive, covering a wide array of topics essential for safe and efficient installations. Participants delved into the basic principles of gas composition, calculations for household connections, risk identification, and the selection of appropriate materials to prevent failures. Furthermore, the training emphasized interpreting field conditions, conducting hermeticity tests, and controlling fuel pressure.
Voices from the First Cohort
Aarón Castillo, 32, a participant in the program, praised the initiative, calling it “interesting and very good” for training existing professionals. “I think it can be a great solution for gas leaks,” he emphasized. Jessica Domínguez, another graduate, expressed pride in the recognition and preparation offered to service providers: “It’s a pleasure and a source of pride that there are those who recognize and prepare them to make quality installations.”
The training included practical exercises and examinations. Bryan Rodríguez, 35, described a simulation where they connected an appliance from scratch: “We had to do it from scratch. From cutting the pipe, making the diagram, the isometric, the list of everything needed, calculating which pipe we would use, the conduits, why, justifying it, executing, and then verifying that everything we had done was correct.”
The diverse backgrounds of the participants, ranging from three to over 20 years of experience, enriched the learning environment. Anselmo Romero, 48, highlighted the valuable exchange of knowledge between students and instructors: “The training was for us to also contribute experience, not to judge others for not knowing, and to contribute more ideas.”
Miguel Gallardo, 52, underscored the critical link with the Heroic Fire Department, stating, “They made us aware of having good practices […] and doing good work to avoid all risks.” Juan Damasco, 43, echoed this sentiment, asserting, “In these gas and electricity issues, there are no small errors. There is a risk to people. [The training] guarantees that we do things well.”
Addressing Widespread Installation Issues
Incorrect gas and electricity installations are prevalent in Mexico City, a reality acknowledged by the installers themselves. Ingrid Villegas, a certified professional, shared an anecdote illustrating the problem: “We had a case of a house where we had to completely change the electrical antenna. The pipe they installed was too tight, they didn’t properly secure the power connections, which caused the fuse to short circuit.”
Beyond the financial burden on homeowners, such faulty installations pose significant safety risks. Isaac Alvarado, 31, a program alumnus, admitted, “I didn’t see the magnitude of the problem until I was there. I didn’t know the number of deaths or accidents, or how bad the installations are in all homes.”
“Bomberos en Casa” Program: A Complementary Prevention Strategy
This certification program is part of a broader prevention strategy by the Heroic Fire Department, which includes the “Bomberos en Casa” (Firefighters at Home) program, launched a year and a half ago. Through this initiative, residents can request a free home inspection of their gas and electrical installations via WhatsApp (55 7514 4189). After the inspection, they receive a document with recommendations, and any detected leaks are addressed immediately.
First Superintendent Pérez envisions the registry fostering synergy and trust within communities. “Hopefully, everyone knows how to check our gas installations, our electrical installations, and that we can talk about this as a form of prevention very routinely,” he stated. Romero added that their work is life-saving: “We save lives through our work, we save lives because we prevent accidents. We save our own lives, we save the user’s life, and we save the firefighter’s life because, when there is an event, they have to come to rescue us.”
This initiative marks a significant step towards a safer Mexico City, empowering professionals and educating the public on the importance of proper installations to prevent tragic domestic accidents.
