Lagos Fire Brigade Celebrates 138 Years of Service to the Community
On 24 July, the Lagos bombeiros (firefighters) celebrated their 138th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the history of one of mainland Portugal’s oldest fire stations. Established in 1886 by a group of dedicated individuals from the municipality, the Associação dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos has evolved into one of the most capable fire brigades in the Algarve region today.
The celebration included a commemorative ceremony, decorations, career promotions, and an opportunity for the public to visit the facilities, learn about operational activities, and interact with the firefighters.
The station responds to thousands of requests a year and has been equipping itself with the human and material resources needed to deal effectively with the various types of daily emergency calls. But its origins were born on 24 July 1886, the result of the will and determination of a small number of people from the municipality.
In 1886, a “small group of men from the city gave face to a collective will, driven by the desire to improve conditions and meet certain needs” of the population, AlgarveVIVO reported. Thus, 134 years ago, the Associação dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos was born, marking the beginning of a progressive group of public servants.
While the association’s statutes were approved on 24 July, the first minutes of the general assembly were recorded on 24 October 1886. The first document (correspondence) from the board dates back to 22 April 1888.
Later that year, on 17 August, as noted in the meeting’s minutes, it was unanimously decided to postpone the appointment of the company commander. Nevertheless, members Adelino Cândido Ferreira Brak-Lamy, José Marcelino Villarinho, Joaquim Cândido Correia, Bento Gomes Formosinho and Manuel Gregório Rocha were asked to provide military instruction to the company.
This year, on its birthday, the fire station received two ‘gifts’: a new light fire fighting vehicle (VLCI) and a new rescue ambulance (ABSC), which will reinforce its resources. At 7 pm, the firefighters commemorated the anniversary with a ceremony during which Father Rafael Rocha, Silves’s parish priest, blessed the vehicles.
The rescue ambulance, designated ABSC02, allows the force to strengthen its capacity to respond to pre-hospital emergencies, which, given the municipality’s increasing population of inhabitants and tourists, increase exponentially year after year. The ambulance was donated by the family of Mr Manuel Oliveira Dinis, who sadly passed away. It was his dream to be able to donate a vehicle to the bombeiros, and his family managed to carry out this philanthropic act in his memory.
A light fire-fighting vehicle was also donated by Lagos câmara. The vehicle is equipped with a 400-litre water tank, a fire service pump and a wide range of essential equipment for urban spaces. In a city like Lagos, one of the reasons for the purchase is to safeguard the historic centre, which, due to its characteristics and the age of the buildings, carries a greater risk, particularly in terms of urban fires – there have been a few scares in the past.
The Mayor of Lagos, Hugo Pereira, represented the municipality at the event, accompanied by Councillors Sara Coelho, Sandra Oliveira and Luís Bandarra. Lagos now has 25 vehicles, including heavy vehicles, ambulances, two boats and an emergency motorbike. “I think we’re well served at the moment,” says Márcio Regino, commander of the Lagos bombeiros.
In the pre-hospital ambulance service, activated by the CODU (Urgent Patients Guidance Centre), up to 29 July, the Lacobrigense Corporation had responded to 3,038 pre-hospital emergencies this year. Regarding other types of emergency, the statistics show that from 1 January to 29 July, the corps responded to 48 rural fires, 45 urban fires, 107 road accidents, 15 incidents involving hazardous materials, 59 door openings with rescue, and 48 falls from trees or structures.
In July 2023, the extension and refurbishment of the fire station was completed. In addition to the requalification and adaptation of some spaces, the vehicle park was expanded, creating space for pre-hospital emergency vehicles and intervention vehicles. The changing rooms for the operatives and plumbing were also renovated, and a gym and lounge were created. New electrical, computer and sound systems were also installed, namely in the operations and communications room (SALOC) and all the operational decision-making spaces.
The Lagos Fire Brigade currently has a total of 114 firefighters, consisting of 47 salaried firefighters, i.e. professional firefighters and 64 volunteer firefighters, plus three of whom belong to the command staff. They also have 24 trainees who have started the training process, which includes six compulsory modules.
The corporation is also a training centre for the Portuguese Rescue School, running various training courses in the region, namely in Animal Rescue, Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), and Search and Rescue in Collapsed Structures (BREC).
The commander recognises that it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract volunteers but says that “the number of firefighters has been sufficient, not least because we have increased the number of professionals, which currently stands at 48. We are investing more and more in a professional corps that responds to needs, but volunteers are always an important asset,” he emphasises.
One aspect in which there has been great progress over the last few decades is the increasing number of women in the fire brigade. “There has been an evolution towards a greater balance, although there are still more men,” explains the commander.
Under the leadership of Commander Márcio Regino, the Lagos Fire Brigade has expanded its capabilities for complex search and rescue operations. Lagos now has a Special Rescue Group (Grupo de Salvamentos Especiais GSE), which specialises in search and rescue in collapsed structures/buildings, underpinning, water rescue, search and rescue in urban floods/wild water, and hazardous materials.
Previously, Lagos had to rely on neighbouring fire brigades, for example, to carry out rescues from cliffs or rescues at sea in support of the Maritime Authority. “We now have our own response capacity,” says the fire brigade commander, who emphasises that “these new skills require continuous and specific training.”
However, the capabilities of the Lagos Fire Brigade could be reinforced in the near future. “We’re considering creating a canine unit,” reveals Commander Márcio Regino. “One of the important functions of this canine unit will be search and rescue in rubble.”
Additionally, the brigade has launched a School of Infants and Cadets to engage young community members in firefighting training and instil a sense of service and responsibility. With 33 young participants aged between 9 and 16, the programme aims to prepare the next generation of firefighters while fostering closer ties with the local community.
Anyone wishing to support or collaborate with the fire brigade in the acquisition of goods and/or equipment in order to improve operational performance should consult Commander Márcio Regino.
The dedication and commitment of the Lagos bombeiros to serving and protecting the community continues to be a source of pride and inspiration for residents and visitors alike. As they look towards the future, the brigade remains steadfast in its mission to ensure the safety and well-being of all those in need.
In honour of this special occasion, the Tomorrow charity TACT donated €2,500 to the fire station, showcasing community support for the essential work carried out by these brave firefighters.
