The commander of Viseu’s Fire Brigade, Rui Nogueira, reported that during fire-fighting operations, a 40-year-old firefighter from Tondela was injured, “suffering trauma after a fall in an inhospitable, hard-to-reach area.”
“We promptly stabilized him with the resources we had at the scene and simultaneously requested additional support,” the commander highlighted.
Consequently, besides a team from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) equipped with an emergency medical vehicle and resuscitation unit (VMER) and firefighters, an Air Force helicopter was dispatched for rescue.
“The firefighter, deemed seriously injured, was airlifted to Paradinha football field and then transferred by VMER-supported ambulance to Viseu Hospital,” indicated the commander.
The brush fire was reported at 2:20 PM today in Póvoa de Medronhosa, in the parish of Repeses and São Salvador, in Viseu municipality.
“In the afternoon, it was burning intensely up a hillside in a difficult-to-access area. We also identified suspicious devices, which are now with the competent authorities,” said Rui Nogueira.
He stated that “both PSP and the Judiciary Police are handling the incident” and that the fire has reached the smoldering stage, as reported at 6:30 PM to Lusa news agency by the commander.
“The fire is under control; we continue with smoldering efforts. This was a complex incident involving 97 operatives, 28 vehicles, supported by aerial resources including a helicopter and two planes,” he noted.
