GALP ploughs €2.7 million into 25 Portuguese fire stations

Portuguese energy giant GALP is to invest €2.7 million to strengthen the operational capacity of 25 Portuguese firefighters across mainland Portugal and the Azores – funding fuel, equipment, infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy solutions.

The funding, delivered through the Galp Foundation’s Firefighters and Emergency Response Support Programme, aims to ‘enhance emergency response capabilities and improve the resilience of humanitarian firefighter associations facing increasingly frequent extreme weather events’.

Measures include fuel supplies, the purchase and renewal of operational and personal protective equipment, upgrades to emergency response resources, and the installation of solar energy and battery storage systems at the various fire stations.

A major part of the programme focuses on rebuilding infrastructure damaged by Storm Kristin.

Working alongside the Mission Structure for the Recovery of the Central Region, GALP is helping fund the reconstruction, rehabilitation and modernisation of critical facilities.

Among the largest projects is a €1.1 million investment in rebuilding fire stations and installing solar self-consumption systems in Leiria and Monte Redondo.

Further interventions covering facility renovations, new equipment and measures to increase energy independence are planned for fire stations, including Arganil and Alcoutim.

GALP says the photovoltaic and energy storage projects will reduce operating costs while ensuring stations can remain fully operational during emergencies and power outages.

“Supporting firefighters means directly supporting communities and their ability to respond in the most critical moments,” GALP’s co-CEO João Marques da Silva explains. He describes the programme as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to safety, resilience and regional development.

Among stations receiving this investment are Praia da Vitória, Angra do Heroísmo and Faial in the Azores, and Matosinhos, Coimbra, Leiria, Sines, Odemira, Ourique, Penela, Grândola, Santiago do Cacém,  Alcácer do Sal and Alcoutim.

Reports have not specified if any fire stations in Madeira are to be included.

Source: Executive Digest

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.