Contract for the Acquisition and Installation of New Solar Water Heating Kits to Be Signed today, Monday, March 10
Following the statements issued by the National Union of Professional Firefighters, the Municipality of Faro provides the following clarifications:
- Due to a major breakdown in the sanitary water equipment at the Faro Firefighters’ Barracks in December, the Municipality of Faro initiated the replacement of the damaged equipment. This replacement process will begin on Monday, March 10, when the contract for the installation of four new solar water heating kits will be signed.
Despite the time elapsed, during which the broken system could not be repaired, the procurement process for the new equipment was launched immediately after the malfunction, following all applicable public procurement legal procedures. - During this transitional period, the firefighters of the Faro Fire Department were provided with temporary access to the municipal sports facility Campo Municipal da Penha, located approximately 600 meters from the fire station, where they could use the shower facilities. Firefighters were also authorized to use fire department vehicles for transportation to and from the site.
- Regarding the current conditions of the fire station, it is important to note that construction work is underway for the Municipal Emergency Operations Center (CMOS), which will be located at the same site. Naturally, this has caused some temporary constraints on the building.
- Given the scope of the construction project, the Municipality of Faro has seized the opportunity to introduce significant improvements to several areas within the Faro Fire Department. These include upgrades to the locker rooms and dormitories, as well as the creation of a new training room equipped with modern technology. Naturally, as construction progresses, temporary solutions have been put in place to ensure the continuous operation of the fire station. The renovation is expected to be completed within 30 days.
- In parallel, the Municipality of Faro, in collaboration with the Fire Department, is developing a project for the construction of a new, functional, and modern fire station, tailored to the needs of both firefighters and the community they serve.
- The Municipality of Faro remains committed to providing an excellent emergency response and civil protection service, ensuring the safety of lives, the environment, and public property. In this regard, a recruitment process is currently underway for 20 new firefighters, and a new Urban Firefighting Vehicle (VUCI) has been recently acquired for the municipal fleet. Additionally, new technical support equipment, such as thermal cameras and gas detectors, has been purchased to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and response time in emergency situations, allowing for faster, safer, and more precise interventions.
