Last night the Algarve mobilised to send heavy-duty generators and technical expertise up to storm-ravaged areas in the centre of the country.
In a statement, local Civil Protection says the generators are now “integrated within the theatre of operations, already supplying energy to critical infrastructures” in the municipality of Pombal.
The ‘critical infrastructures’ include pumping stations to ensure that water finally runs again for thousands of households.
The generators will remain in place for “around a week”, while ‘human and technical resources’ from Algarve municipalities are working to help with the general ‘cleaning up’ that is required. The technical resources in this regard include ‘heavy-duty machinery’, like JCBs.
This mobilisation came in response to a request from ‘national civil protection command’, explains the statement, adding that it “is a clear gesture of inter-regional solidarity, demonstrating the willingness of the Algarve, its municipalities, its fire brigades and its civil protection structures to put their capabilities at the service of the most affected populations, whenever the National Emergency and Civil Protection System so determines.
“The Civil Protection System extends its solidarity to the populations of the Central Region affected by this adverse weather event and expresses its public recognition to all those involved in the operation, both those who were deployed for this mission and those who remain in the Algarve to ensure the daily response in terms of emergency, rescue and civil protection, including firefighters, security forces, technical teams, local authorities, civil protection agents and cooperating entities, contributing to the Algarve’s continued affirmation as a prepared, safe, resilient and supportive region.”
Source: Press release from CREP Algarve (COMANDO REGIONAL DE EMERGÊNCIA E PROTEÇÃO CIVIL DO ALGARVE)
