Kristin devastated the Central Region. The 80 firefighters from Brasfemes responded with unwavering courage, despite worn-out or nonexistent equipment. Their determination never fails. Equipment, however, does. Help us equip those who never back down. Donate now.
"When we enter a flooded house or face a forest fire, we know that every second counts. The equipment cannot fail, because in every intervention, human lives are at stake."
— Volunteer firefighter from BV Brasfemes
In January and February 2026, Storm Kristin and subsequent severe weather, declared a state of emergency by Council of Ministers Resolutions No. 15-B/2026 and 15-C/2026, devastated the Central Region.
In the municipality of Coimbra, the 80 volunteer firefighters of Brasfemes responded without interruption to urban flooding, fallen trees, infrastructure collapses, and prolonged power outages.
It was during this intense mobilization that what was already known, but had been postponed, was exposed, revealing four weaknesses that cannot wait for the next storm:
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End-of-life PPE: Complete kits urgently need replacement to ensure minimum safety for those involved.
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Without emergency lighting: The absence of a generator and LED light tower compromised nighttime operations for days.
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Without shoring equipment: Faced with partially collapsed structures, the fire department lacked the means to intervene safely.
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Without certified training in BREC: The growing complexity of climate emergencies demands skills that are still lacking.
It's not a lack of courage. It's a lack of resources!
This campaign operates on a flexible basis, where each contribution has an immediate impact, regardless of the total amount reached.
We're not asking for everything at once. We've structured the campaign around four progressive goals, so that each contribution has an immediate impact, regardless of the total amount reached:
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Goal 1 – €19,828: Priority PPE + cutting tools: 10 certified Nomex kits and chainsaws.
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Goal 2 – €34,313: Lighting + heavy rescue: 8kVA generator, 42,000 lm LED tower, and Lukas rescue platform.
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Goal 3 – €71,762: Complete Paratech Longshore shoring kit + BREC training: the corporation becomes qualified to intervene in building collapses.
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Goal 4 – €164,882 (Stretch): Equip all remaining 70 firefighters with complete certified PPE, ensuring that all 80 are covered.
Our main objective is to reach €71,762, an amount that covers all the priority equipment (see Goals 1, 2, and 3), enabling the corporation to intervene in building collapses.
If we reach this amount, the campaign doesn't stop. We continue to receive support, and every additional euro goes directly to Meta Stretch: €164,882.
In short, Meta Stretch is not a separate objective. It is the natural continuation of the campaign, which happens when the community decides to go further, acquiring equipment to guarantee full protection for all personnel, without exception.
The Brasfemes Fire Department has served 140,000 residents for 85 years, without pay, without set hours, without breaks.
We only ask one thing: that the next time a storm hits, they have the equipment they need to enter and return, with everyone's safety guaranteed—their own safety and that of the entire community!
About the author
The Brasfemes Volunteer Firefighters Humanitarian Association (AHBVB) - Tax Identification Number 501 245 430 - is a non-profit institution with a fundamental role in the protection and safety of the population of the municipality of Coimbra. Founded on July 30, 1939, it has already provided 87 years of uninterrupted service, marked by commitment, dedication and a sense of mission in supporting the community.
AHBVB has established itself as an essential pillar in the local and national civil protection system. Over the decades, it has responded to a wide range of incidents, including rural fires, road accidents, pre-hospital medical emergencies, floods, and other high-risk situations requiring rapid and effective intervention.
The AHBVB currently comprises an active body of 80 volunteer firefighters, men and women who balance their professional and family lives with a permanent commitment to serving and protecting others. This voluntary effort reflects a high sense of civic responsibility and solidarity, and is crucial in ensuring the safety of approximately 140,000 residents distributed across 18 parishes in the municipality of Coimbra, as well as in inter-regional and national missions.
Its operational capacity is ensured by a fleet of 20 vehicles, including 4 ambulances for non-urgent patient transport (TDNU), fire engines, and emergency response vehicles. In 2024, the association carried out 2,717 non-urgent transports, demonstrating the relevance of its contribution also in the area of health and social support.
The recent experience during the storms and subsequent floods of January and February 2026 highlighted, once again, the resilience and dedication of these volunteer professionals, who were involved in continuous operations responding to extremely critical situations. It was precisely this demanding context that made even more visible the operational and logistical needs that this campaign aims to address.
Its mission continues to be guided by values of altruism, readiness, and public service, establishing itself as a benchmark in the protection of lives and property, and in supporting populations in vulnerable situations.
"We need your support to continue protecting those who need it most, because Prepare to Protect: Equipped firefighters mean safer communities."
Budget and due dates
The total budget requested for the campaign is €71,762 (cumulative value of Goal 3), with all values presented including VAT. This amount corresponds to the main objective of the campaign: to reach Goal 3 to guarantee the acquisition of the complete Paratech Longshore shoring kit and BREC certified training, unlocking critical intervention capabilities in collapsed structures and search and rescue in complex emergency scenarios.
The Meta Stretch (total accumulated €164,137) will only be activated and pursued if we reach the necessary additional amount before completing one year of the campaign (counting from the launch). This is an ambitious and conditional goal: if the generosity of the supporters allows us to raise the extra funds within this 12-month period (through continuous contributions, campaign updates, and prolonged dissemination), we will be able to equip 100% of the 80 operational firefighters with certified individual PPE kits (70 additional kits). Otherwise, we will acquire as many PPE items as the additional amount raised allows.
Detailed summary by goal and timeline (focus on project implementation after the campaign ends):
Minimum amount / Goal 1
Price: €19,828 (VAT included)
Target deadline: July 2026 (meets the minimum recommended 90 days)
What it unlocks: Guaranteed execution. Acquisition of PPE + cutting tools.
Details: 10 certified PPE kits (according to EN 469 standard) + 1 disc saw + 2 operational chainsaws.
Projected execution period: June/July 2026.
Goal 2
Cumulative value: €34,313 (including VAT)
Target deadline: August/September 2026
What it unlocks: Acquisition of an 8kVA generator + 42,000 lm LED lighting tower + Lukas LRP 6 rescue platform.
Projected implementation period: August/September 2026.
Goal 3 (Main objective of the campaign)
Cumulative value: €71,762 (including VAT)
Target deadline: October/November 2026
What it unlocks: Acquisition of a complete Paratech Longshore shoring kit + BREC certified training (Search and Rescue in Collapsed Structures).
Projected implementation period: October/November 2026 (acquisition) and subsequent training.
Meta Stretch (additional)
Total accumulated value: €164,137 (including VAT)
Target deadline: Open after the initial 90 days, but only if reached before 1 year of the campaign (maximum 12 months from launch).
What it unlocks : Acquisition of 70 additional PPE kits, allowing 100% of the 80 operational firefighters to be equipped with complete and certified personal protective equipment.
Projected execution period: To begin after the campaign closes, according to the amount raised within a 1-year period.
General project schedule:
The PPL campaign will be active for at least 90 days (until July 2026), with the possibility of extension according to platform rules and support dynamics. Acquisitions and training will take place sequentially from June 2026, with unlocking milestones in July (Goal 1), August/September (Goal 2), and October/November (Goal 3). The extension will only be communicated and activated if the extra funds are received before the 1-year period is complete. The final report to donors will be made after the completion of all funded actions, with periodic updates and supporting documentation.
The amounts indicated in this application include a margin of 9.225% (PPL commission 5% + payment processing commission 2.5%, both plus VAT at the rate of 23%) on the net value of the budgeted equipment and training. If the campaign is eligible for full or partial exemption from commissions under the CGD/PPL Rebuild protocol, the excess amount will be applied to the items of the immediately following target, in order of priority defined in the approved budget.
All funds will be used exclusively for the acquisitions and training described. We are committed to total transparency: detailed accountability to supporters, with photos, invoices, and real impact on the safety of the population of Coimbra (more than 140,000 residents). Achieving Goal 3 already transforms our capacity to respond to serious emergencies and, with your extra support within 1 year, we will protect all 80 of our volunteer firefighters as they deserve.
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Associação Humanitária de Bombeiros Voluntários de Brasfemes
MUITO MUITO OBRIGADA!
Neste momento faltam-me verdadeiramente as palavras para traduzir aquilo que sinto na alma e no coração. Há gestos e reconhecimentos que nos tocam de uma forma tão profunda que apenas nos deixam com um sentimento imenso de gratidão.
Recebo este momento com humildade, emoção e um profundo sentido de responsabilidade. Do fundo do meu coração, o meu mais sincero e sentido obrigada. Muito, muito obrigada.
Levo comigo esta confiança e este carinho como uma força para continuar. Prometo honrar esta missão com toda a dedicação, respeito e compromisso, procurando sempre dar o melhor de mim, todos os dias.
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