Amovate President Peter Johnson, with Operation Florian’s Mike Thomas and Shepperton Aurora Rotary President Doreen Pipe formally presented Aljezur’s firefighters with the fire and rescue equipment at the Bombeiros HQ on Thursday September 26^th.

Fire Chief Mario Costa thanked Amovate and Aurora Rotary—including Dave Good, a member of both organisations who played a key role in setting up the whole project—for their part in making his force the recipient of what he called a “fantastic” donation.

And he hailed the UK fire fighters, Florian’s Mike Thomas and Steve Darby—also representing Lancashire Fire & Rescue, source of the helmets & boots, whilst the fire kit (bunker pants and jackets) came from North Wales —for their generosity to fellow members of the worldwide fire fighting community.

Earlier, Aljezur Bombeiros, watched by Amovate’s Committee and members of the Association, gave a fascinating, realistic and highly professional demonstration of how they will be using the sophisticated rescue equipment that was part of the donation.

They created a very convincing crash scene—including damaged roadside barriers—involving two cars, one of which had overturned, trapping the driver (a very patient Bombeiro) inside.

The team assembled to free the driver, went through their paces using the cutting and “jaws of life” tools, plus equipment to fix the vehicles firmly in place to avoid any dangerous movement during the operation.

They removed both doors plus the column between before stabilising the “patient”, cutting him free of his seat belt, inserting a spinal

board beneath him, then carefully extricating him from the vehicle before handing him over to the paramedics, who checked him out on their collapsible stretcher before loading him onto the ambulance for the “journey” to hospital.

All of this was done using equipment from the donation.

Afterwards, Florian’s Mike Thomas, explaining that he and Steve Darby had more than 60 years UK fire fighting experience between them, added: “I can honestly say that demonstration wouldn’t be carried out better, or more professionally, anywhere else in the world.”

The UK fire fighters were happy that the equipment, which should last the Bombeiros up to 10 years before it needs to be replaced, could not be in better hands.

Then, 10 of the Bombeiros lined up wearing the high-tech Personal Protection Equipment—helmets, tunics, trousers and boots—from the set of 100 included in the donation to form a backdrop for the symbolic handing-over of the kit and equipment.

Mike Thomas, Peter Johnson and Doreen Pipe performed the handover, after which the Amovate President declared:

“Amovate is very proud to have been part of this magnificent venture in securing vital equipment for Aljezur Bomberios.

“The hard work in England by Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club and in particular Dave Good, an Amovate member working with ourselves, has made this possible.

“The people of Aljezur and its surrounding area will now have a fire brigade that can service its vast area with a much better equipped resource and with cutting equipment that will save lives.

“Amovate has and will continue through its charity to make donations where it sees that our help benefits people in need. Today, members of Amovate can rest assured our charity has been part of a magnificent scheme which will make the Aljezur area a safer place.

“Finally thank you to Direct Transport for their kind donation towards this gift. As always they have helped Amovate move much-needed equipment from England to Portugal, which greatly assists our donations within the Algarve and, in particular, Aljezur.”

Doreen Pipe then spoke, saying: “Each and every one of our Shepperton Aurora Rotary Club members is delighted to have supported this project with Operation Florian and Amovate, to provide the vital equipment for the Aljezur Bombeiros.

“Your bravery and professionalism will have saved much property and many lives over the years, and we thank you for that.

“We hope that with this ‘new’ equipment will allow you to cope with emergencies and further assist to you carry on your fantastic and vital emergency work for many years to come.

“Your safety will be improved with this excellent equipment, provided by Operation Florian, which is sent from our own British fire fighters, and we all owe a debt of gratitude to the fire fighters at home and here.

“Today shows how working together, Rotary, Operation Florian and Amovate have all been able to benefit those in need of help. We hope that all of the Bombeiros teams here in the Algarve, will be safer at work and able to continue to respond to each new emergency, with the right equipment for your amazing skills.”

Florian’s Mike Thomas declared: “On behalf of Operation Florian may I say a big thank-you to our friends here in Aljezur for organizing this evening and inviting Steve and I to attend.

“Operation Florian was formed more than 20 years ago as a simple means of fire fighters helping less fortunate fire fighters and our first donation of a fire appliance in war-torn Yugoslavia, is still in use today, standing proud as a beacon of the fellowship that fire fighters have towards each other.

“Today Operation Florian is a successful charity still run by fire fighters and our motto is ‘helping to save lives across the world’.

“Truly we are international and tonight is a celebration of the donation we have made here in Portugal. I think the fire fighters of Aljezur will make good use of the firecoats, trousers, helmets and boots that we have donated alongside the improved ability to rescue those trapped in vehicle collisions. The Aljezur firefighters are now better protected to serve and protect the residents, visitors, businesses, natural environment etc of Portugal.

“We are just as proud to help you as we are to help all fellow fire fighters, the fellowship of fire fighters is the largest family in the world, and we embrace you.

“Of course someone had to approach Florian and seek our help. A big thank you to Shepperton Aurora Rotary especially to David Good for being persistent whilst we got our act together and of course to your colleagues in Amovate who supported you along the way.

“Once again, on behalf of Operation Florian, thank you and we wish you good luck and stay safe as you keep your community safe.”