Loulé has taken a major step forward in emergency preparedness with the inauguration of its expanded municipal heliport, a project expected to spell the “difference between life and death” across the Algarve and Alentejo.
Rui Rocha, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Civil Protection, officially inaugurated the upgraded facility on Monday, highlighting its vital role in regional rescue and emergency operations. “Whether for firefighting or medical emergencies, one minute can often mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
The expansion increases the heliport’s operational capacity to five helicopters at a time – two more than before – and adds a new hangar for larger aircraft, expanded parking, refuelling and maintenance areas, and upgraded living and technical facilities for crews from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) – now morphing into ANEM.
With these improvements, the base is now capable of supporting a wide range of missions, from firefighting and medical transport to coastal and inland search and rescue. The search-and-rescue capability, suspended in 2018, will be reactivated, dramatically reducing response times across the Algarve and Lower Alentejo.
Originally built in 1998, the heliport has long served as a logistical backbone for state aircraft operations. The €3 million expansion is part of the Iberian Centre for Research and Combat Against Forest Fires (CILIFO), which also includes bases in Monchique and Cachopo/Tavira.
Outgoing mayor Vítor Aleixo emphasised Loulé’s central location: “From here, emergency teams can reach any part of the Algarve or Lower Alentejo more quickly, which is crucial given the nature of their work.” He also confirmed plans for two future projects: regional facilities for GNR police and a regional training centre for emergency and civil protection personnel.
