The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced on Thursday an investment of 1.5 million euros to “strengthen the equipment of Forest Sappers across the country.”
In a statement, the ministry said that the amount will be financed by the Environmental Fund and will “allow professional teams to be equipped with state-of-the-art personal protective equipment (PPE), contributing to greater safety in firefighting operations.”
“This investment is a recognition of their work and a commitment to their safety. With this new equipment, we will be providing Forest Sappers with the best tools to face the ever-increasing challenges that forest fires represent,” said the Minister of Environment and Energy, as quoted in the statement.
The equipment includes “fire-resistant clothing, footwear, helmets, gloves, and other safety materials (such as goggles, carbon filters for masks, and balaclavas).”
The support will be granted in the form of a non-refundable subsidy, up to a maximum of 850 euros per forest sapper, which is equivalent to 4,250 euros per operational team.
“Protecting our forests is a priority for the Government. This investment is another demonstration of our commitment to preventing and fighting forest fires by reinforcing the response capacity of our Forest Sapper teams and ensuring that they are properly equipped with the best available resources and materials,” concludes Maria da Graça Carvalho.
According to the statement, the Government expects the equipment “to be available in the field as quickly as possible.”
