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A Tribute
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Ellie
A Tribute
After several visits to the areas of Fire devastation during our first weeks vacation Hub has asked me to post this topic :
A visit to Lagoas Bombeiros station,to pay my respects to the dead firefighters,had me talking to the young woman subofficer.Her English was excellent and our conversation enlightened me on all the events of the recent fires.
I was appalled to learn that the great majority of the crews involved in the operations were volunteers from villages within the fire ravaged area.
having beena London fireofficer for close on 25 years and having attended some of the most harrowing of incidents imaginable,forest fires was one scene Id never experienced --and quite honestly would not have wanted to--these Algarve fires were fought by brave volunteers with only some fulltimers. I have always advocated that men& women who are prepared to risk their lives for others should be recompensed;provided with a high standard of protective uniform(see the photos on front page of the "News" of Sept.20th--doc martin boots --flimsy useless jackets --plastic dented helmets that offer no protection from fire).They should have the best equipment and afinancial scheme that protects their families in case of death or serious injury.
Politicians will always provide as small an emergency service as cheaply as possible--after all -a fire service is a necessary evil..So --the "volunteer" is a God send because they carry out these dangerous tasks from pure total dedication--seeking no reward--in other words a politicians dream! These men/women are unpaid except for when attending maybe the obligatory one hour training session per week.They stand as the politicians proof of frugal public spending so moneys can be "freed-up" for "more" important schemes ----statues! parks! Maybe more golf courses--maybe someone would enlighten us.
If the Bombeiros suddenly realise they are being used as a political footballand they raise the "longbow mans" 2-fingered salute to local authorities-then the smart-suited politicians backside will be exposed to the flames that they hitherto avoided.
Give these guys& girls a fighting chance with good pay-protection withmodern reliable clothing and equipment and most of all --respect.
God bless all you valiant,dedicated and gutsy volunteers.
A visit to Lagoas Bombeiros station,to pay my respects to the dead firefighters,had me talking to the young woman subofficer.Her English was excellent and our conversation enlightened me on all the events of the recent fires.
I was appalled to learn that the great majority of the crews involved in the operations were volunteers from villages within the fire ravaged area.
having beena London fireofficer for close on 25 years and having attended some of the most harrowing of incidents imaginable,forest fires was one scene Id never experienced --and quite honestly would not have wanted to--these Algarve fires were fought by brave volunteers with only some fulltimers. I have always advocated that men& women who are prepared to risk their lives for others should be recompensed;provided with a high standard of protective uniform(see the photos on front page of the "News" of Sept.20th--doc martin boots --flimsy useless jackets --plastic dented helmets that offer no protection from fire).They should have the best equipment and afinancial scheme that protects their families in case of death or serious injury.
Politicians will always provide as small an emergency service as cheaply as possible--after all -a fire service is a necessary evil..So --the "volunteer" is a God send because they carry out these dangerous tasks from pure total dedication--seeking no reward--in other words a politicians dream! These men/women are unpaid except for when attending maybe the obligatory one hour training session per week.They stand as the politicians proof of frugal public spending so moneys can be "freed-up" for "more" important schemes ----statues! parks! Maybe more golf courses--maybe someone would enlighten us.
If the Bombeiros suddenly realise they are being used as a political footballand they raise the "longbow mans" 2-fingered salute to local authorities-then the smart-suited politicians backside will be exposed to the flames that they hitherto avoided.
Give these guys& girls a fighting chance with good pay-protection withmodern reliable clothing and equipment and most of all --respect.
God bless all you valiant,dedicated and gutsy volunteers.