This was followed by a pilgrimage to the cemetery to pay tribute to the deceased peacekeepers and members, and a parade of vehicles through the streets of the town and a parade on foot to the main church, to attend the solemn mass.
The formal session began at 3 pm, and was attended by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Patrícia Gaspar, the National Commander of ANEPC, André Fernandes, a representative of the League of Portuguese Firefighters, and the vice-president of the Chamber of Santarém , João Leite, among other entities.
During the ceremony, 22 trainees were promoted to third category firefighter, several firefighters were awarded bronze, silver and gold medals, as well as the corporation’s operational staff Paulo Filipe, Bruno Azenha and Laurémio Bacalhau, who were in international missions, in the earthquake in Turkey and fires in Chile and Canada
The solemn session also served to promote Mónica Timóteo to 2nd Commander of the BVA corps, and to present the new Alcanede Firefighters Fanfare and name 11 new vehicles.
