Ahhh … what a beautiful time of year! After a cool winter and a wet spring, it’s finally becoming warm, with a bright sun and rich blue skies. The Algarve countryside is blanketed with fields of emerald green and dotted with colorful wildflowers. We look ahead to summer fun at the beach or the pool, sports, picnics, walking, hiking, and biking.
Some of us, however, are occupied by different thoughts because this season also brings wildfires to Portugal. The responsibility of ensuring our safety falls on our legion of brave professional and volunteer Bombeiros. To do this dangerous job, they must be trained, equipped, organized, and always ready.
Our very lives depend on them to respond as quickly as possible to every fire. Not only do the volunteers put themselves in harm’s way, they must devote personal hours and incur financial sacrifice. The volunteer Bombeiros receive only a small compensation from the government. I recently learned that it’s not enough to cover their expenses.
This is where local hero Debby Burton comes in. My wife and I talked to Debby at the lovely, newly-opened Alerta Charity Shop in Silves. “It all started when my husband and I came from the UK and were living in Monchique in 2003 and a fire broke out. We saw the bravery of the Bombeiros and we decided to do what we could to help them. Then we moved to Mexilhoeira in 2006, and there was a fire there. We brought them food and water.”
Debby recalls going to the Bombeiros station to find out how they could help more. “We learned that there wasn’t enough funding to buy uniforms, boots, helmets, gloves, and other gear. So, we started a Facebook page (Associação Alerta de Incêndio Florestal /Forest Fire Alert). Pretty soon, people all over wanted to volunteer for fundraising.”
One such volunteer, Karen Evans, was helping with displays at the Alerta Charity Shop last week. “I love volunteering, and this group is so much fun to be part of. We always have a laugh here with Debby. I help with two main tasks. I work in the charity shop, and I am part of the Alerta Facebook group. We get information about fires on the “ProCiv” government website (https://prociv.gov.pt). Then we put the latest information onto the informational Facebook page. It’s not too difficult to transfer the information, and it really helps keep everybody up to date about fires.”
Today, two Bombeiros, Cristiano Quaresma and Luís Correia, from the Lagoa volunteer station, are in the shop to collect new uniforms, boots, helmets, and gloves. I can’t describe the joy of meeting these heroes. They are very humble, so my wife and I thank them for what they do. They clearly appreciate our gratitude.
The best part of visiting the shop is the enthusiasm you feel for the cause of the Bombeiros. The customers and volunteers are chatting about donations and purchases. Debby’s infectious laughter sets the tone for a good time, every bit as fun as a trip to the local pub (and much more worthwhile). The shop fixtures were skilfully built out of pallets, wine crates, and recycled wood, with the help of bombeiros and other volunteers.
“We accept donations of clothing, household goods, books, toys, or whatever is nice and in good condition. People can bring donations any time we are open.”
“We need volunteers for many activities”, Debby adds. “The next big fundraiser is a cool zip-line challenge over the Guadiana River from Alcoutim, Portugal, into Spain. There are always things to do. For those who want to get involved, please come in the shop, or search for ‘Alerta Charity Shop’ on Facebook.”
Since its inception, Alerta has raised more than €250,000 to purchase equipment and supplies for the volunteer Bombeiros system throughout the region. The existence of the group also provides priceless intangibles to support Bombeiros. For instance, expats living in Portugal can have the opportunity to give back to their new country, and work alongside Portugal nationals.
Debby Burton is a hero in her own right, who has taken this cause to heart. It is her “raison d’être”. In recognition for her vision, hard work, and pizzaz, she has even received two medals. One of the medals was awarded in 2023 by special request from the Silves Bombeiros, and it recognized Debby’s fearless work during the height of the COVID19 pandemic. The other was the British Empire Medal from Queen Elizabeth II.
Shop hours are 11am to 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The address is Lote nº 6, R. da Cruz de Portugal (N124), 8300-126 Silves. Find the shop on Facebook ‘Alerta Charity Shop/loja Alerta’. The website is http://www.algarvefire.info. You can call Debby at +351 966 834 013 or email bombeirosalgarve@gmail.com
By ERIC ROTH
