"It's not an emergency, it's an emergency: we need a new auto-ladder!" said Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimão, addressing the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, at the inauguration of the construction work at the Firefighters Volunteer headquarters in Portimão, this Sunday afternoon.
Richard Marques, fire commander, had already called attention, in his speech, that the «stair vehicle» of this body is «40 years old and 30 meters long», when some «critical buildings», namely in Praia da Rocha , «they reach 90 meters». For all these reasons, a new auto-ladder adapted to the current reality is “a fundamental means”.
These requests were made on the 93rd anniversary of the Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters of Portimão, marked with the inauguration of the expansion and requalification works of its headquarters, where nearly 700 thousand euros were invested, as well as the delivery of equipment of individual protection and also with the inauguration of means of aquatic intervention (a semi-rigid and three boats). A new 51-seater bus was also delivered by the company Transol to the firefighters. In other words, despite the birthday full of gifts, there are still shortages to fill.
In her speech, the mayor recalled that, with the investment made in the last five years, «each firefighter has, at this moment, allocated equipment worth eight thousand euros», which corresponds to three forestry equipment and two urban equipment.
Announcing good news, which was greeted with applause by the audience, where dozens of firefighters and their families were, Isilda Gomes revealed that the City is "finalizing new social benefits for firefighters", which should advance in 2020, as soon as " some minor legal issues are clarified».
In statements to the Sul Informação, the mayor would have to explain that these social benefits could include, for example, the free entry or use of municipal sports facilities, such as swimming pools, or discounts on TEMPO tickets, among others.
But Isilda Gomes, once again addressing Secretary of State Patrícia Gaspar, recalled that, in the works of the barracks, financed by European funds, the Portimão Council ensured national participation, so the intervention was able to advance. “And if I didn't participate, was there work? This cannot be left at the mercy of the mayor's decision!”, he stressed.
"There is a lot to clarify in the Civil Protection building," added Isilda Gomes, warning that "without the municipal level, nothing will work."
In her speech, the Secretary of State responded to these challenges, stressing that she wanted to “discuss the future of firefighters and volunteer work”, rethink the “model of financing of humanitarian associations” and start “procedures towards the elaboration of a law for programming of investments for Civil Protection'.
On the other hand, in order to «increasingly train firefighters» there will be «investment in training and qualification», and, therefore, «reflecting on the future model of the Professional School of Firefighters».
Other challenges, announced Patrícia Gaspar, include, for example, the “operationalization of the new organic law of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority” and the “revision of the Basic Civil Protection System Law”.
In short, the governor admitted, it is a "very ambitious plan."
But the inauguration ceremony of the works at the Fire Brigade in Portimão, which took more than four hours, also served to distinguish many firefighters for their services, with special emphasis on Margarida Costa, honorably promoted to the category of Chief, and for the chiefs Francisco Águas, with over 46 years of service, and Júlio Moisés, with over 48 years of service. This trio of exemplary peacekeepers received a standing ovation from their peers.
The expansion works of the headquarters, which represented an investment of 625 thousand euros, were financed by 85% by the Cohesion Fund, with the national component (15%) being supported by the Municipality of Portimão (94 thousand euros). The supplementary work was supported by the Humanitarian Association.
Álvaro Bila, president of the Humanitarian Association, explained that the works made it possible, for example, to create “greater capacity for human resources, who now can spend the night here in comfort. We have 40 ladies in the fire department and we didn't have a female ward».
On the other hand, «the leisure areas are now closer to the operational areas», which, he explained, «allows us to respond more quickly».
The new communications center was also expanded and improved, now hosting, at the same time, “firefighters, civil protection and the Red Cross. There is also the capacity to install one more operator, necessary for example in the event of a catastrophe», revealed Álvaro Bila. “By centralizing all the means here, in a single center, we increase our response capacity”, he assured.
One more piece of information to give reason to what President Isilda Gomes said: "the people of Portimon see in you those people who, in difficult times, are the ones who help them."
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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