Albufeira stresses importance of helping volunteer firefighters
The Municipal Council of Albufeira has donated nearly €64,000 to the local volunteer firefighters to purchase a new ambulance.
The vehicle will be used to transport patients and will be equipped with an “electro-hydraulic” lifting platform.
José Carlos Rolo, Mayor of Albufeira, has highlighted the “difficulties” that the Bombeiros Voluntários de Albufeira (Volunteer Firefighters of Albufeira) are currently facing due to the “constant increase in their operational activity, especially during the summer months, with health emergencies representing practically all of the association’s activities.
“Therefore, it is urgent to acquire more ambulances to ensure the safety of the population and visitors,” said Rolo.
The council points out that the firefighters responded to 10,549 incidents in 2022, with 4,974 being related to medical emergencies and 3,518 related to patient transport.
By the end of September 2023 alone, the volunteer force had already responded to a total of 10,838 incidents, of which 4,446 were related to medical emergencies and 2,110 to patient transport.
Furthermore, several of the existing ambulances are beging to show signs of wear and tear, resulting in “frequent breakdowns” and “compromising the safety and operability of the service provided to the population.”
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
