Notes Taken at Public Meeting with Bombeiros. 10-07-2019
Topic :- Safe Village, Safe People
Bombeiros : Mario Costa – Commandant
Davide Costa
Junta : Henrique Henriques – President
Civil Protection : Sandra Oliveira
Amovate : Steve Scott -Administrator
Approximately 75 people attended the meeting.
Safe Village, Safe People was created after the 2017 fires in central Portugal with many losses of lives.
The reason for the meeting is to advise what to do in the case of any emergency which may be a fire or earthquake for example.
There is a 3 step procedure in this process of Safe Village, Safe People programme.
1. Clearance of vegetation and trees in accordance with newly laid out requirements.
2. To have public meetings on what action to take if any incident was to arise.
3. Where to locate to in case of evacuation requirements.
In the case of VdT and surrounding areas of Arrifana, Monte Clerigo, Espartal and Vales these areas are defined as :-
- The football field opposite the VdT hotel.
- The area between the two lines of apartment blocks in VdT
- In Vales by the new supermarket.
Signs will be erected at various points to advise of the safe meeting points and where they are and how to get there. Some are already in position and also advise of the severity of danger at this moment in time.
There is ONE free backpack for each household given by the Câmara, Junta and National Authority which for people who attended were distributed after the meeting and contain a bottle of water, a mask, a torch and some instructions.
If evacuation is required then it would be useful to add into the backpacks :-
simple first aid kit, any medicines being taken to cover a minimum 2 days, prescriptions, personal ID documents, tinned food & a change of clothing.
Representatives from the Civil Protection and Junta can advise on any questions at any time where 25 people are available daily to look after our safety.
Renata Ramos and Steve Baker are the residents in VdT who will control the two meeting points in VdT working with the Bombeiros and the National Authority. They will receive the initial information and then the word has to be spread and in particular when it requires evacuation.
The following points were raised during a question and answer period but are considered important and so are highlighted as such.
Households with gas bottles should place them in the swimming pool.
Ensure the area around your property is clean and clear.
Close all doors, windows and metal shutters. Plastic shutters should remain open as they easily burn.
For anybody who is unable, due to illness, to get to the meeting point an ambulance will be made available.
Animals should be taken to the meeting points with their owners.
The Amovate has put forward an idea that the best way to respond to an emergency is to have a siren fitted on the water tower and was mentioned during the meeting. This to cover a radial area of 3km and would be controlled remotely but only by the Bombeiros. We have had two quotes which involves high cost and a high difference between them with the lowest price being around 15K GBP. If every household donated, say 10 euros then we would probably have enough to cover the cost including installation but would that be acceptable and would every household participate ? It seems such a small amount to donate to assist in a safe and quick evacuation to the meeting points without relying on a few people to spread the word and possibly putting themselves in danger. It would be good to know if this would be a favorable way to raise the amount required. Please talk with your neighbors locally to your area and advise us of yours and their thoughts on this suggestion by emailing us so that we can then decide how we can or should move forward.
Meanwhile we are looking at holding an event in September where all monies raised would go towards a siren.
Also the Amovate will post any further information received and especially when danger is in sight on their website and FB page.