Tijuana’s Cruz Roja (Red Cross) will add a new ambulance to its emergency fleet after a school fundraising drive collected 2.4 million pesos (about $120,000 USD) during 2026. The total marked a 9 percent increase over the prior year’s collection.
Red Cross director Alberto Quintanar Hernández announced the purchase on June 17 at an event held at the Trompo Museo Interactivo, a children’s science museum in the Zona Río neighborhood. He credited thousands of students, parents, and teachers across Tijuana’s preschool, primary, and secondary schools with making the new ambulance possible.
Schools Honored for Top Contributions
Representatives from Baja California’s Secretaría de Educación (Secretary of Education) attended the ceremony and symbolically handed over the ambulance keys. Three schools were recognized for their top contributions: Alonso Luján, Padre de la Patria, and Secundaria General #4 Ricardo Flores Magón.
The annual fundraising drive is a long-running collaboration between Cruz Roja Tijuana and the state education system. Each year, school communities organize coin drives, bake sales, and other collections to support the Red Cross mission in the city.
Why Ambulance Capacity Matters in Tijuana
The new vehicle is a critical addition. Cruz Roja Tijuana fields roughly 98 percent of the city’s 911 emergency calls, serving a population of more than 1.6 million people. As of late 2024, the delegation operated approximately 17 daily units, up from a previous count of 15 ambulances.
Tijuana’s rapid urban growth has placed increasing strain on emergency medical services, particularly during rush hours when traffic can delay response times. The Red Cross has also introduced lighter first-response vehicles to reach patients faster when full ambulance transport is not immediately needed.
The organization provides emergency care around the clock, 365 days a year, and relies heavily on community donations to maintain and expand its fleet. Expat volunteers in Baja California regularly work alongside local staff to keep operations running.
The 9 percent growth in school fundraising contributions this year points to broadening participation across Tijuana’s education network. The event and fundraiser details were first reported by Punto Norte.