Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA)

What Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA) does

Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA) is a non-profit international cooperation organization headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, founded on 27 October 2006 by firefighting institutions from Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. It is the largest international cooperation body for firefighting institutions globally, with 31 Active Members and 7 Associate Members representing fire departments from 13 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, collectively covering approximately 1.5 million volunteer, paid, military, and police firefighters. OBA's mission is to professionalize firefighting institutions through standardized training, inter-institutional knowledge exchange, and alignment with international norms (NFPA, INSARAG).

OBA's core product is the Academia Virtual OBA (AVO), a free Spanish-language e-learning platform built on the Thinkific LMS that delivers asynchronous vocational courses on firefighting, hazardous materials, USAR, wildland fire response, and pre-hospital care. By 2020, AVO had trained over 100,000 firefighters from 37 countries. The platform serves as both a freemium training resource open to any firefighter globally and a funnel for institutional membership. OBA also delivers in-person Cursos OBA at premier fire academies across 17+ countries, the PCI (Programa de Capacitación Interinstitucional) for member-to-member knowledge transfer, the annual OBA-Fundación MAPFRE Congress, the Copa OBA skill competition, the PIB firefighter exchange program, scholarships at ANB Chile, and the BRIF technical committee developing a wildland fire brigade accreditation framework.

The organization's business model rests on two pillars: (1) recurring membership dues from Miembros Activos (firefighting institutions) and Miembros Adherentes (NGOs and civil society organizations), which are not publicly disclosed, and (2) a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Embajador/Ambassador, Patrocinador/Sponsor, Amigo/Friend) attracting 25+ fire-safety equipment manufacturers including 3M/Scott, Bullard, MSA, Holmatro, Lion, Task Force Tips, Waterax, Vallfirest, Gore, and Streamlight. All training programs are offered free of charge; sponsor contributions are primarily financial and in-kind (course co-development, equipment, instructor support). The organization employs 24 staff and is governed by a 7-member Consejo Directivo elected biennially by the General Assembly, with operational coordination provided by an Executive Director.

Name

Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA)

Legal name

Organización de Bomberos Americanos

Website

https://bomberosamericanos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA) is a non-profit international cooperation organization headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, serving 31 Active and 7 Associate firefighting institutions across 13 countries and 1.5 million firefighters. It delivers free Spanish-language training through the Thinkific-based Academia Virtual OBA, in-person courses, and the annual OBA-Fundación MAPFRE Congress, funded by membership dues and corporate sponsorships from fire-safety equipment manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Services Training and Professionalization

NAICS

Fire Protection (922160), Educational Services (611), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedic) Training (EDAOAMAC)

Keywords

• Firefighter training programs
• Emergency response education
• International cooperation services
• Volunteer fire professionalization
• Free vocational e-learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Montevideo

HQ country

Uruguay

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership dues (Miembros Activos y Adherentes): Member firefighting institutions (Miembros Activos and Miembros Adherentes) pay dues that fund OBA's core operations, training programs, and international events. The organization had 31 Active Members and 7 Associate Members as of 2025.
2. Patrocinio / Sponsorship Program: OBA operates a structured sponsorship program with multiple tiers (Embajador/Ambassador, Patrocinador/Sponsor, Amigo/Friend) through which companies in the fire-safety equipment industry (e.g., 3M/Scott, Bullard, MSA, Holmatro, Fire-Dex, Gore, Streamlight, Lakeland, Lion, Task Force Tips, Waterax, Vallfirest, Leader, Deployed Logix, Inforest, Hispamast, DLX, HIKMICRO, Desautel, Interspiro, Protec Solana, Airbox, Incipresa, Jobe Luv, Schmitz) provide financial and in-kind support. All sponsorship revenue is reinvested directly into training and professionalization activities for member fire departments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OBA is a non-profit international cooperation organization that provides free firefighter training and professionalization services to its member institutions and the broader Latin American firefighting community. Its core deliverable is the Academia Virtual OBA, a Spanish-language e-learning platform built on Thinkific that offers open-enrollment vocational courses in fire suppression, hazardous materials, USAR, wildland fire response, and pre-hospital care, complemented by in-person Cursos OBA at member fire academies, the inter-institutional PCI training program, and an annual congress.

Product overview

Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA) is a non-profit international cooperation organization for firefighting institutions. Its primary offering is the Academia Virtual OBA, a distance education platform providing free online courses in Spanish for firefighters across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization also delivers in-person courses, an inter-institutional training program (PCI), an annual congress (OBA-Fundación MAPFRE), a skills competition (Copa OBA), a firefighter exchange program (PIB), scholarships (Becas OBA-ANB Chile), and technical committees. The platform runs on the Thinkific learning management system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academia Virtual OBA Free, open-enrollment, Spanish-language e-learning platform built on the Thinkific LMS that delivers vocational courses on fire suppression, hazardous materials, USAR, wildland fire response, and pre-hospital care to any firefighter globally.
• Cursos OBA Presenciales In-person, internationally-rated technical specialty training delivered at premier member fire academies across Latin America, covering hazardous materials, wildland fire, USAR, vehicle rescue, and pre-hospital care. Courses have drawn participants from more than 17 countries.
• Programa de Capacitación Interinstitucional (PCI) Exclusive inter-institutional training program for OBA Active Members in which member fire academies instruct peer institutions from other countries, delivered via virtual conferences and selected in-person sessions, promoting south-south knowledge transfer.
• Congreso OBA-Fundación MAPFRE Annual in-person congress co-organized with Fundación MAPFRE, combining formation, debate, seminars, and sponsor exhibitions; live-streamed on YouTube to remote participants and drawing hundreds of firefighters from across the continent.
• Copa OBA International firefighter skills competition held annually between OBA Active Member teams, awarding the best team in Ibero-America and promoting training, healthy living, and regional integration.
• Programa de Intercambio Bomberil (PIB) International exchange program allowing firefighters from OBA Active Members to live and work alongside firefighters in other member countries, including participation in local training programs and exposure to different operational methods.
• Becas OBA-ANB Chile Scholarship program through which OBA and ANB Chile offer bimonthly calls for Active Members to receive preferential-rate training at the ANB Training Center in Santiago de Chile, including access to specialized courses and the ANB campus.
• Programa de Acreditación BRIF (Mesa Técnica de Brigadas de Incendios Forestales) Technical commission of 21 representatives from 8 countries developing an accreditation framework for wildland fire brigades under OBA standards, including technical documentation, curricula, rubrics, and assessment protocols for BRIF instructor accreditation.
• Plataforma Academia Virtual OBA (Thinkific) Learning management system powered by Thinkific that delivers the Academia Virtual OBA courses to firefighters worldwide, providing enrollment, course delivery, and student tracking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 firefighters trained through Academia Virtual OBA as of 2020
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• AmbiparcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Ambipar partnered with OBA in 2025 to co-develop and launch the 'Respuesta Inicial ante Incidentes con Materiales Peligrosos (NFPA 470)' course on the Academia Virtual OBA platform. Ambipar specializes in environmental emergency response.
• 3M/ScottcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20233M/Scott is a major OBA sponsor and course co-developer (Embajador/Ambassador tier). It delivers courses on telemetry in SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) and PPE/vest regulations through the Academia Virtual OBA. 3M/Scott hosted a breakfast for the OBA delegation at FDIC 2025 and participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• BullardcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Bullard is a sponsor (Embajador/Ambassador tier) of OBA and co-develops courses on thermal imaging cameras and helmet decontamination for the Academia Virtual OBA. Participated in FDIC 2025 and the X Congress in Cali.
• MSA SafetycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023MSA Safety is an Embajador-level sponsor of OBA. Participated in FDIC 2025, X Congress in Cali, and provides technical content for OBA training programs.
• HolmatrocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Holmatro is an Embajador-level sponsor of OBA, specializing in rescue equipment. Hosted OBA's delegation at FDIC 2025 and sponsored the VIII and X Congresses.
• Lion (LION Foundation)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023LION Foundation is an Embajador sponsor of OBA and participates in the annual congress and PCI programs. Lion is a major provider of firefighter PPE and training gear.
• Gore (W.L. Gore & Associates)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Gore is an Amigo/Ally sponsor of OBA. Co-developed the 'Estrés por calor y barreras de humedad' (Heat Stress and Moisture Barriers) course on Academia Virtual OBA. Presented Crosstech technology improvements at FDIC 2025. Also a sponsor of the X Congress in Cali.
• Streamlight Inc.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Streamlight is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Co-developed the 'Selección de linternas y su uso en ambientes peligrosos' (Flashlight selection for hazardous environments) course for Academia Virtual OBA. Participated in FDIC 2025 and the X Congress in Cali.
• Task Force TipscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Task Force Tips is an Embajador-level sponsor of OBA, providing specialized firefighting equipment and training content. Participated in FDIC 2025 and the X Congress in Cali.
• WateraxcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Waterax is an Embajador sponsor of OBA, providing CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) training content and equipment demonstrations. Co-developed the 'Uso de espuma por aire comprimido para el combate de incendios' course on Academia Virtual OBA.
• Fire-DexminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Fire-Dex is an Amigo/Friend sponsor of OBA. Participated in the X Congress in Cali and provided PPE expertise for OBA training programs.
• Haisx (HAIX)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023HAIX is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA, providing firefighter boot and footwear expertise. Participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• Iturri S.A.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Iturri S.A. is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Co-developed the 'Equipamiento de Protección Individual (EPI) y vestuario según Normativa Europea' (European standard PPE) course on Academia Virtual OBA. Participated in FDIC 2025.
• LakelandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Lakeland is an Embajador-level sponsor of OBA. Participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• VallfirestcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Vallfirest is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Developed the 'Las herramientas manuales en la extinción de incendios forestales' (Manual tools for wildland fire suppression) course released in 2025 on Academia Virtual OBA. Participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• Leader GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Leader Group is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Signed an 'Aliado' (Ally) sponsorship agreement at FDIC 2025. Participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• InforestminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Inforest is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Participated in FDIC 2025 and the X Congress in Cali.
• HispamastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Hispamast is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Co-developed the 'Uso de agua en ultra alta presión para el combate de incendios' (Ultra high-pressure water for firefighting) course on Academia Virtual OBA.
• Deployed Logix (DLX)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Deployed Logix (DLX) is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA. Developed the 'Despliegue de equipo de descontaminación en emergencias' (Decontamination equipment deployment) course and the 'Transforma tu respuesta: la logística detrás de un buen campamento USAR' course on Academia Virtual OBA. Participated in the X Congress in Cali.
• Airbox ColombiaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Airbox Colombia is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• DesautelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Desautel is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• HIKMICROminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023HIKMICRO is an Ally sponsor of OBA. Participated in the X Congress in Cali with thermal imaging and monitoring equipment demonstrations.
• Protec SolanaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Protec Solana is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• IncipresaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Incipresa is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• Jobe LuvminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Jobe Luv is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• SchmitzminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Schmitz is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• InterspirominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Interspiro is an Ally sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• RosenbauerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Rosenbauer is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• JacintominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Jacinto is a Sponsor-level sponsor of OBA, participating in the X Congress in Cali.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023NFPA is referenced as a partner/standards body for OBA's training programs. NFPA standards (e.g., NFPA 470 for hazardous materials response, NFPA 951) are incorporated into OBA course curricula. NFPA representatives present at the X Congress and Metro Fire Chiefs Conference.
• Cuerpo de Bomberos del Ayuntamiento de Madrid (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Madrid Fire Department is a strategic instructor partner for OBA, delivering the specialized seminar 'Intervención de Bomberos en Tentativa Suicida' (Firefighter Intervention in Suicidal Attempts) at multiple OBA congresses (VIII Congress 2023, X Congress 2025). The Madrid department pioneered this intervention methodology and shares protocols internationally through OBA.
• Asociación Internacional de Estudios de Bomberos y Psicología de Emergencias (AIB)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023AIB co-instructed the suicide intervention seminar at the X Congress in Cali alongside the Madrid Fire Department. AIB specializes in firefighting psychology and crisis intervention training.
• Asociación Latinoamericana de Rescate Vehicular (ALAREV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ALAREV is an OBA member and strategic training partner, delivering the 'Rescate Vehicular Básico Nivel I' course through Academia Virtual OBA and the PCI program. ALAREV instructors (e.g., Diana Aristizábal) serve as OBA training coordinators.
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023NVFC co-delivered the 'Oficial de Seguridad de Incidentes' (Incident Safety Officer) PCI course alongside Argentina's CFBVRA in 2020, through the Academia Virtual OBA platform.
• Metro Fire Chiefs AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022OBA signed a cooperation agreement with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association in October 2022, strengthening institutional ties between North American and Latin American fire leadership. OBA participated in the 2025 Metro Fire Chiefs Annual Conference in South Carolina, with Vice President Martín Cucalón de Ycaza representing the organization. The partnership aims to develop joint initiatives for firefighting professionalization.
• INSARAG Las AméricascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019OBA signed a cooperation agreement with INSARAG Las Américas in 2019 to support and promote the adoption of INSARAG guidelines and methodologies in Latin America, as well as to support national accreditation processes (PAREI/IRNAP) in the region. OBA and INSARAG collaborate on training programs, USAR methodologies, and the annual INSARAG-USAR congress sessions. In 2025 they co-hosted the 'USAR y Género' conversatorio.
• Fundación MAPFREflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Fundación MAPFRE is OBA's primary strategic partner for the annual OBA-Fundación MAPFRE International Congress (held annually since 2016; the VIII Congress was in 2023 in Guadalajara, Mexico; X Congress in 2025 in Cali, Colombia). Fundación MAPFRE co-organizes, co-brands, and co-funds the congress, which serves as the premier firefighting professionalization event in Latin America. The XI Congress will be in Guatemala City in 2026. OBA also won the Fundación MAPFRE award in 2017 in the accident prevention category.
• Scholas OcurrentesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016OBA signed a cooperation agreement with Scholas Ocurrentes — the nonprofit organization led by Pope Francis — to support community accident prevention projects. The partnership aimed to leverage both organizations' networks for youth-focused safety education across Latin America.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF): IAFF is the global labor union representing professional firefighters and conducts training, safety, and advocacy programs. Comparable to OBA as an international firefighter-membership organization, with IAFF focused on labor representation and OBA on institutional cooperation and training.
• Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE): IFE is a UK-headquartered international professional body for fire engineers and fire-safety professionals, providing accredited qualifications, CPD, and international events. Comparable to OBA as a global credentialing and professional-development body in the fire sector.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): IAFC represents fire service leadership internationally and runs leadership/professional development programs for fire chiefs. OBA partners with IAFC's affiliated Metro Fire Chiefs Association and serves a similar professional-development role across Latin America, making it a directly comparable peer in fire-service training and standards.
• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC): NVFC represents US volunteer firefighters and runs training and health-and-safety programs. NVFC has co-delivered OBA courses (Incident Safety Officer PCI) and operates as a directly comparable fire-service training association for OBA's target constituency.
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC): IFSAC is an international body that accredits fire-service certification programs. Comparable to OBA as an international accreditation-aligned entity, with IFSAC focused on US-based program accreditation and OBA developing regional BRIF wildland fire accreditation in the Americas.
• International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA): IFMA is an NFPA-affiliated international association of fire marshals focused on fire prevention, code enforcement, and professional development. Comparable to OBA as a fire-service professional association, though IFMA's mission is more prevention/code-focused and operates as part of NFPA's broader portfolio.
• CTIF (International Fire & Rescue Services Association): CTIF is the largest international association of fire and rescue services, with national member organizations across Europe and beyond. Comparable to OBA as a continental cooperation and technical exchange network for fire services, though CTIF's geographic anchor is Europe rather than the Americas.

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): NFPA is the dominant US-based fire safety standards organization and runs training/certification programs referenced worldwide. OBA incorporates NFPA standards (e.g., NFPA 470 for HazMat) into its curricula and partners with NFPA at the Congress; it competes in adjacent spaces (training) while relying on NFPA's standards.

Regional players

• Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA): CFOA is the UK professional association for senior fire and rescue officers, providing policy, leadership, and operational guidance. Comparable to OBA as an association serving fire service leadership but operating exclusively in the UK market — a regional, not direct, peer.
• Asia Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA): AFCA is the regional association for senior fire leadership across Asia-Pacific, hosting conferences and facilitating cross-border cooperation. Comparable to OBA in mission and structure (regional fire-chiefs network with training and cooperation focus), but serving a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@orgdebomberosamericanos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/organizaci%C3%B3n-de-bomberos-americanos-oba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Organización de Bomberos Americanos (OBA)