The donations were part of a national campaign launched by the Os Mosqueteiros group, to which the Intermarché, Bricomarché and Roady brands belong and which this year managed to achieve 500 individual protection kits, which are currently being distributed among 100 different national voluntary firefighting corporations.
The kits comprise special boots, gloves, hoods, body protection gear (trousers and tunics), helmets and sweatshirts.
Funds were raised via a children’s book launched by the group in partnership with the Portuguese Firefighters’ League, to raise awareness and educate younger generations about the various roles of a fireman or woman, as well as raising money to buy the individual outfits to be used in fighting forest fires.
According to the head of the Portuguese Firefighters’ League, “renovation of this equipment is fundamental for the safety of our firefighters.”
The book, ‘The Jobs of a Firefighter’ was on sale in each of the group’s 306 stores between 25 July and 31 August.
During a ceremony held to mark the handing-over of the equipment, Franck Saintemarie, owner of the Alvor store, said: “This is an initiative that fills us all with pride. In a year when the country was particularly massacred by forest fires, with the sale of the children’s book ‘The Jobs of a Firefighter’ we could show the young the importance that these professionals have in the community and simultaneously raise the funds necessary to improve the safety of Portuguese firefighters.