Vocal Voices

the fire-fighters.

They are 99.9% volunteers and only get paid when there is a fire. Some of them set fires, so they can get paid. A small minority, but still.

Every year, we have these fires. Every year, the government says it will issue this directive, that directive and makes it law.

None of them are enforced

Every year, the ex-pat (and I really loathe that word) community and quite a few Portuguese, donate water, food, snacks, socks, to the bombeiros. And more and more, each year, are opening their homes, for those whose homes have been burnt out, because the fires have been so bad in the last few years, especially up north and central Portugal.

We pay nothing for council tax and donate 20€ a year to our local bombeiros. They have really old equipment and rely on us, the locals, to help them buy new (used) equipment. Many events are held throughout Portugal, to help them and many fire brigades in England send over their old uniforms and other equipment.

We don't normally go anywhere near Castro Verde market in the summer - much too hot. But next week, we're going to buy about 50€ worth of socks - which will about 100 pairs - go to the supermarket and give them the small bottles of water, energy bars and anything else we can think of.

If it's not used down here, in Ourique, it will be sent to those very very brave fire fighters, doing their very best, in very difficult conditions.

Good for you Ton, it's hard to help if the government won't do their bit x

The blasted government even taxed the money donated to those who lost their lives in the last huge fire

But then had to turn around and say that the tax raised was going to a special fund - probably theirs.

This is awful
Good on you for helping xx

Well done, Jan, for doing your bit. Every little helps ....

Great you are helping Jan, but at the government there!

Crikey Jan, that is terrible of the Government; just how low can one go

But good on you and the rest of the community for helping as much as you can. In SA the firefighters I think are a mix of full time fully paid as well as volunteers; the Cape has horrendous wildfires every year as well and same as where you are, the people all rally round to provide water, food, shelter for those that need

The worst times often does bring out the best in people

Good for you and the community to chip in and help in any way you can, Jan. xxx

JanB wrote:The blasted government even taxed the money donated to those who lost their lives in the last huge fire

But then had to turn around and say that the tax raised was going to a special fund - probably theirs.

We are not the only country with rotten politicians then?

Certainly not Aggers - ours have been jailed, time and time again.

the last prime minister is still under house arrest