The municipality of São Brás de Alportel is mourning the unexpected death of fire chief Raul Manuel Lourenço de Jesus, who passed away at the age of 61 while on duty.
In an official statement, the local council pays tribute to the deceased fire chief, who dedicated 46 years of his life to the São Brás de Alportel Volunteer Fire Brigade, joining the corps in 1979 at just 15 years old. A professional firefighter, he rose through the ranks to become chief at the age of 30.
Throughout his long career, Raul Jesus played a key role in both operational duties and firefighter training, serving in the Training Department and helping prepare generations of volunteer firefighters, the council says. He also completed military service as a paratrooper corporal, adding to a lifetime of service.
Beyond his professional career, he was actively involved in the local community, including as a member of the São Brás de Alportel motorcycle club “Os Unidos da Estrada”.
As part of the project “Os Nossos Bombeiros” (Our Firefighters), Raul Jesus revealed that experiences he lived through in France inspired his desire to become a firefighter, recalling August 22, 1979 as the day he fulfilled his ambition to serve. Speaking to younger generations, he left a powerful message: “If young people are dedicated and like to help other people, they should also be aware that this is a job that is very gratifying but also poses serious risks, given the missions that we are tasked with, be it a fire, an accident or a pre-hospital emergency.”
In its statement, the local council offered its condolences to Raul Jesus’s family and friends, the São Brás de Alportel Volunteer Firefighters Association, the brigade’s command and the Portuguese Firefighters League, highlighting his lasting contribution to the community and to emergency services in the municipality.
