Albufeira and Vila Viçosa invest over €1.2 million in new fire‑fighting equipment

The municipality of Albufeira will spend €912,660 to acquire four new fire‑fighting vehicles for its volunteer fire service. The purchase, funded by EU community funds and pending approval by the Court of Auditors, includes a light forest fire vehicle (VLCI‑F), a light rural fire vehicle (VLCI‑R), a forest fire vehicle (VFCI) and a forest tactical tank (VTTF). In addition, the council will allocate more than €700,000 in a financial package and other collaborative protocol funds to modernise its fleet of 35 rescue vehicles and support its 120 personnel.

Vila Viçosa has secured approval for the “Reinforcement of Civil Protection Means” project under the Alentejo 2030 Regional Programme, with a total investment of €368,244, 85 % of which is co‑financed by the EU. The funding will provide a forest tactical tank vehicle and an inflatable operational tent equipped with a generator, intended for use as a field hospital, command post or emergency shelter. Both municipalities aim to improve response capacity and preventive protection for their territories.