bombeiros

Published 3 November 2026, 09:35

bombeiros — firefighters and rescuers

In Portugal there are two kinds: volunteer brigades (bombeiros voluntários), which are the majority and are based at their local association in each town, and professional units (sapadores) in the big cities. They do much more than fight fires: they open doors, give first aid, take people to hospital and clear debris after storms. You call them on the general emergency number, 112.

Where you come across it. A fire, smoke, someone locked in or who has fallen at home, the aftermath of a storm.

Fire stations have no separate phone number: you call 112 and the operator passes the call on. The more precisely you describe the location, the faster they will arrive.

Official website: sgifr.gov.pt

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