The Humanitarian Association of the Volunteer Firefighters of Fundão has confirmed plans to construct a new fire station with a base investment of €4.2 million, responding to growing operational and safety challenges caused ageing facilities that no longer meet the needs of a modern emergency service.
The announcement was confirmed Carlos Jerónimo, president of the association, who said the current headquarters has become inadequate for the scale and complexity of operations now carried out the corps. The existing station was designed decades ago for a much smaller force and lacks the space and infrastructure required to safely support personnel and equipment.
According to Jerónimo, the Fundão firefighters currently operate a fleet of around 70 vehicles, supported 55 staff members and approximately 150 volunteer firefighters. Over time, the growth in personnel, vehicles and technical demands has placed increasing strain on the building, creating logistical difficulties and safety concerns for both firefighters and the public they serve.
The new fire station is intended to address these issues providing modern operational areas, improved vehicle bays and safer circulation routes. Officials say the design will take into account contemporary standards for emergency services, including better separation between clean and contaminated zones, improved training spaces and facilities that support long shifts and rapid response.
Firefighters in Fundão cover a wide and varied territory that includes urban areas, rural communities and forested zones vulnerable to wildfires. In recent years, the demands placed on local fire brigades across Portugal have increased due to more frequent extreme weather events, longer wildfire seasons and a broader range of emergency call outs. These pressures have made adequate infrastructure a critical component of effective response.
Jerónimo said the association had little choice but to move forward with the project, noting that continuing to operate from the current building could compromise efficiency and safety. He stressed that the investment should be seen as a long term safeguard for the community rather than a discretionary expense.
The project will be led the Fundão Volunteer Firefighters’ Humanitarian Association, which is now working with local authorities and partners to secure funding and finalise planning details. While €4.2 million represents the base construction cost, final figures may evolve depending on materials, equipment and regulatory requirements.
Municipal officials have acknowledged the importance of the project, pointing out that volunteer firefighters play a central role in Portugal’s civil protection system. In many regions, they are the first and often only line of defence against fires, road accidents and medical emergencies.
Residents in Fundão have welcomed the announcement, with community groups noting the firefighters’ long standing service and the risks they face. Several have said that investing in safer and more efficient facilities is essential to ensuring continued volunteer recruitment and retention.
Construction timelines have not yet been finalised, but Jerónimo said the association hopes to move forward as soon as administrative and funding processes allow. He emphasised that the goal is not only to build a new structure, but to create a station that can serve the community reliably for decades to come.
As emergency demands continue to grow, the Fundão project reflects a broader challenge facing volunteer fire brigades across Portugal, balancing rising operational needs with limited resources. For local firefighters, however, the planned station represents a necessary step toward safer working conditions and stronger emergency response capacity.
