Between Water and Life: Because protection cannot have limits.

The severe weather of 2026 exposed Coimbra's vulnerability. To respond to floods and evacuations, the Brasfemes Fire Department needs €63,695 to create and equip a Specialized Aquatic Rescue Team.

Climate change is profoundly transforming the landscape and how communities cope with risk. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have increased significantly, making floods a growing threat to many localities in the Central Region. Coimbra has officially joined the municipalities recognized as being in a state of emergency following the severe weather events of 2026. Storm Kristin and the extreme weather events left deep scars on communities located along the Ceira and Mondego rivers. In a few hours, roads were submerged, access was interrupted, homes were flooded, and populations were isolated. The response required continuous rescue, evacuation, and support operations for the populations in particularly challenging conditions.

The Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters were at the forefront of these operations. However, operational experience demonstrated a clear reality: responding to floods and water rescues requires specialized technical resources, continuous training, and appropriate equipment to ensure speed, safety, and effectiveness in intervention.

Currently, the available equipment reveals limitations for autonomous response in aquatic and flooded environments, increasing the exposure of operators to risk and reducing the ability to act in critical scenarios.

"During Storm Kristin, our team had to improvise access routes that could have been done in half the time with the inflatable boat we are now requesting." (Volunteer Firefighter)

It is precisely to respond to this need that the project BETWEEN WATER AND LIFE was born.

The Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association intends to create a Specialized Flood Intervention and Aquatic Rescue Team, composed of 12 operational personnel trained to act quickly, in a coordinated and safe manner in high-risk situations.

This team will be able to:

• To carry out rescues during floods and inundations;
• to support evacuations and isolated populations;
• to intervene in aquatic rescues;
• Strengthen operations on river beaches;
• to ensure pumping and drainage of water;
• To support civil protection operations during extreme weather events.

The project will allow the acquisition of essential equipment to ensure an effective response:

• Personal protective equipment;
• Technical suits and life jackets;
• rope and rescue equipment;
• portable radios;
• motor pumps and generator;
• operational lighting;
• thermal camera;
• inflatable boat with motor and trailer;
• logistical and operational material;
• Specialized training for operational staff.

The intervention will have a direct impact on the communities of the municipality of Coimbra and surrounding areas of the Ceira and Mondego river basins, which are particularly vulnerable to floods, flash floods, and temporary isolation of populations.

The Association serves approximately 140,000 people and aims to strengthen its capacity to respond to future risks.

This project is aligned with the strategic priorities of the Rebuild Platform, namely:

• Strengthening climate resilience;
• Adaptation to future risks;
• social development and inclusion;
• Strengthening territorial cohesion and community capacity.

The project is collective and community-based in nature. The resources acquired are not intended for private use or for repairing individual damages; they are intended for the provision of a civil protection and emergency service for the benefit of the population.

Future sustainability will be ensured by the Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association, which will be responsible for the safekeeping, maintenance, operation, and integration of the equipment into its permanent operational structure. The Association will also ensure ongoing training, readiness exercises, and technical updates for its personnel.

More than just acquiring equipment, this campaign aims to leave a permanent operational capacity at the service of the community.

Because future floods cannot find us less prepared. Because when the water rises, protecting lives requires preparation. Because between water and life, every minute counts!

About the author

The Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association (AHBVB), NIPC 501 245 430, is a non-profit institution founded on July 30, 1939, with 85 years of continuous service to the community.

Throughout its history, it has established itself as an essential agent of civil protection and emergency response in the municipality of Coimbra, intervening daily in fires, road accidents, pre-hospital emergencies, floods, extreme weather events, and providing support to the population.

The Association currently comprises an active body of 80 volunteer firefighters, men and women who balance their professional and family lives with a permanent commitment to public service and community protection.

Its area of operation covers approximately 140,000 people distributed across various parishes in the municipality of Coimbra and surrounding areas. Operational capacity is ensured by a fleet of 20 vehicles, including ambulances for transporting non-urgent patients, fire engines, and emergency and rescue vehicles.

In 2024, the Association carried out 2,717 non-urgent transports, also demonstrating its relevant role in supporting the health and well-being of the population.

During Tropical Storm Kristin and the severe weather of 2026, the Brasfemes Volunteer Fire Department was involved in continuous operations responding to critical situations, including evacuations, assistance to isolated populations, and support in flood scenarios. This experience highlighted the need to strengthen specialized flood intervention and water rescue capabilities.

This application stems directly from that operational experience and aims to transform a need identified on the ground into a permanent and structured response in service to the community.

The Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association has the institutional and operational legitimacy to acquire, manage, and use the equipment foreseen in the project, as well as to establish and operate the Specialized Flood Intervention and Aquatic Rescue Team, within the scope of its civil protection, rescue, and emergency responsibilities.

The acquired equipment will be integrated into the corporation's permanent operational structure and used exclusively in missions of public interest, civil protection, and providing aid to populations.

Budget and due dates

The total project budget is €63,695.

The investment corresponds to the acquisition of technical equipment, operational resources, and specialized training necessary for the creation of the Specialized Flood Intervention and Aquatic Rescue Team.

The project budget, totaling €63,695, is broken down by category, including operational resources, protective equipment, communications, rescue, logistics, and specialized training.

The detailed budget:

Subtotals

• Operational resources and equipment: €61,665.50
• Specialized training: €2,029.50

Top of Form Total overall project cost: €63,695 The figures presented are based on budget and market research, and may be subject to adjustments depending on supplier availability and price updates.

Minimum essential project configuration: If the funds raised do not fully achieve the overall goal of the campaign, the Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association will prioritize the implementation of the minimum essential operational configuration of the specialized team.

This configuration will include:

● personal protective equipment;
● technical suits and life jackets;
● rope and rescue equipment;
● portable radiotelephones;
● Initial training of operational personnel.

This configuration will ensure an initial capacity for intervention in floods and operational support in flooded environments, guaranteeing minimum safety and operational conditions for the team. The acquisition of the inflatable boat, trailer, and other complementary resources will be carried out progressively depending on the funding raised.

After validation and funding of the campaign, the project will be executed over an estimated period of 3 months.

Images

Documents

• memoria_descritiva_e_justificativa_entre_a_agua_e_a_vida.pdf

  pdf • 521.66 KB

• declaracao_de_conformidade_do_promotor_ppl_signed.pdf

  pdf • 486.81 KB