About Us

On September 19, 1985, marked the beginning of a new era for Mexico City. At 7:19 A.M. clocks stopped as a result of a major earthquake 8.1 Richter scale, which surprised the capital. Some were starting labours, others were preparing to get up and many, fortunately for them, were still asleep and didn’t have time to realize what was happening around.

It took less than 2 minutes for the earthquake to left a city in ruins without anyone imagine the catastrophe that resulted in its path. The awakening was so painful for many Mexicans who will never forget that day, the dreadful silence, the smell of death, the blank stares and ambulance sirens in their crazy rush, confusing the people of this great metropolis, which all of a sudden was devastated.

Nobody could believe their eyes!

The number of victims was countless, it was never possible to define an actual figure.

As a result of the earthquake that devastated Mexico City on 19 September 1985, it was formed a group of volunteers who worked jointly in the search operations and rescue of victims, which people started naming "TOPOS". In February 1986 it was legally constituted as the Rescue Brigade Topos Tlatelolco A.C.

In 2015, marked 30 years since the tragedy and the formation of a volunteer group that has decided that the best teaching this sad event left us, is prevention and the promoting of a real culture in terms of civil protection.

In Mexico City we will have no more than 200 constituents prepared, and is needed to be prepared forming neighborhood emergency committees, so that everyone has a family plan, that each person worry about their safety and has a well organized participation.

We are Brigada de Rescate Topos Tlaltelolco, A.C., a private non-profit integrated by volunteers who provide rescue services, support and assistance to anyone who is in vulnerable situation.

We are a light equipment rapid response multidisciplinary team, trained to meet national and international disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, air and rail accidents, explosions and urban and forest fires . Our actions begin when the government capacity is exceeded.

We are a team of first response able to maintain a state of constant readiness for rapid international deployment and conduct international USAR operations and in our country, ensuring the proper conduct of his team members and conducting tactical operations in accordance with the Guidelines and Methodology INSARAG.

• Integrate a rescue group for immediate response to disaster relief.
• Support people in vulnerable state in disaster situations.

Our heritage is integrated through donations, registration, grants or contributions from legal character and economic nature.

International Recognition

We are known among the rescuers of the world that cooperate with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations System (OCHA) and the teams that work according to the protocols of Search and Rescue in Collapsed Structures.

We are part of the Rescue International Assistance League (RIAL), recognized as certified rescuers by the Government of Mexico City, member of the Committee Handlers Search and Rescue Dogs of the Federal District and collaborators with United Firefighters Without Borders.

In 2004 the Brigade was recognized by the President of the United Mexican States for the work done in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.

In 2010 the Squad received the Medal of Merit of the Commission for Citizen Participation of the Chamber of Deputies for the work done in Haiti.

Our work and professionalism is re-recognized by the authorities of the different countries where the squad has participated when requesting our help to assist its affected population.

But the greatest recognition is from the population of Mexico and in every part of the world, where we are pleased to be welcomed after our work.

Organization Chart

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Social Communication Directorate
• Social and Cultural Directorate
• Supply Directorate
• Health Directorate
• Services Directorate
• Legal Directotate

• Rescuers (BREC, Alpine, K9)
• Paramedics
• Medical Post
• Architectural Engineers
• Specialized Psychological Care in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Your support helps us to become self-sufficient in the disaster areas.

We do not receive support from any level of government for tools, supplies or public or private pay for the rescue.

Each volunteer will buy their own personal protective equipment, as donations are intended for training activities, purchasing tools and help people in vulnerable state.

In-Kind Donation.

If you do not have a minimum amount of money, you can still support us in other ways:

• Require lightweight tool such as strings, picks, shovels, hammers, axes and saws, stretchers and medical equipment; to work in collapsed structures and access to victims.
• We work with canine units trained to locate people and require dry food.

According the laws of Mexico, a donation should have a probative document the value of the donation received in kind, form of payment, as well as where the resource with which the acquisition was made came from.

¡IMPORTANT!

We do not receive dogs in donations, since each Topo works with its own dog as a binomial.

We do botting in the streets, public squares, airports or disaster areas. Do not let yourself be surprised!