São Brás de Alportel Bombeiros were the beneficiaries of a recent initiative that hopes to change the way the fire fighting force works in the future.
On July 9, an Operation Florian van, laden with equipment for the São Brás de Alportel Bombeiros, arrived at their headquarters with Adam Orr from Lancashire Fire Brigade and his partner Charlie Clarke ready to be welcomed by a large crowd who waited eagerly for them.
Operation Florian, which is a UK Fire Service Humanitarian Charity that provides equipment and training to improve fire fighting and rescue capabilities worldwide, was about to donate for the first time to an EU country.
 The group welcoming Adam Orr and Charlie Clarke. From left: Victor Dorado, Deputy President São Brás Câmara, António Eusébio, São Brás Mayor, João Meira, Commandant of São Brás Bombeiros, Nidia Amaro, President of São Brás Bombeiros, Adam Orr, Operation Florian, Charlotte Clarke, Operation Florian, Alexandro Moreira (Alex), São Brás Bombeiros, Jeff and Christina Sweet, SBA Computers São Brás, Clive Jewell, British Consul to the Algarve, and Lisa Greenough, Consulate Portimão. |
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Present for the occasion were several local dignitaries, including São Brás de Alportel Mayor António Eusébio and the British Consul to the Algarve Clive Jewell.
The funds to transport the goods from the UK were raised by Paul and Julie Adcock and Ian and Shirley Lowe of São Brás, who ran charity quizzes.
Shirley and Julie undertook the catering for these events and were thanked for their efforts in helping to raise €2,800.
Jeff Sweet, who contacted Operation Florian on behalf of the Bombeiros, told the Algarve Resident: “It was delightful to see the Bombeiros looking in amazement at all the equipment being unloaded. A big thank you also to all the community who attended the charity events to help raise the funds.”
Nidia Amaro, the President of São Brás Bombeiros, and Flávio, Deputy President, opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone to the event.
 Jeff and Christina Sweet, Paul and Julie Adcock, Ian and Shirley Lowe and Adam Orr were presented with certificates from the Bombeiros to commemorate what had been achieved. |
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Nidia Amaro and Jeff Sweet gave speeches, along with São Brás de Alportel Mayor and the British Consul, who spoke in perfect Portuguese.
Clive Jewell praised the initiative and said he was delighted by the welcome the foreign community had received in Portugal and “this is our way of saying thank you and giving back to the community that we expats now live in”.
Jeff Sweet said: “This was a momentous day and we and the people of São Brás de Alportel cannot thank Operation Florian enough for what they have done for our community.”
 Nidia Amaro and Adam Orr preparing to unload the van. |
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Meanwhile, other funds have been raised by the Angels Theatre Group, who will be having meetings with the Bombeiros to see how these funds may help them.
For more information about Operation Florian, please visit www.operationflorian.com.
To contact São Brás de Alportel Bombeiros, please call 289 842 606.
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