I salute all the Portuguese firemen and their families.

I once again wish to publicly enhance the enormous importance of the role accomplished by firemen.

They are many thousands of men and women, of different ages and social background, attached to more than 430 voluntary associations and professional corporations.

All of them render a vitally necessary contribution to the lives of their fellow citizens and are a basic prop of Portuguese society.

They face accidents or catastrophes –of which forest fires are just an instance -, they help sick people, promote safety, protect and rescue people, energize cultural cooperation and the local economy.

Our firemen undertake all of this mainly due to the moral gratification they feel in their generous and altruistic surrender to the people, in a notable example of courage and solidarity in public service.

Firemen very often risk their own lives. I pay tribute to those who have died or have become irremediably wounded in action.

I also address a friendly word to firemen’s families, since it is in those near to them that the anxiety and the absence implied by each one’s mission is reflected.

But my wife and I believe we must go further in the public demonstration of our appreciation and gratefulness to Portuguese firemen, following the example we have already given for soldiers and other members of the security forces.

Today, with the dedicated support of the League of Portuguese Firemen, we have invited firemen’s families from all districts and from the Azores and Madeira to share with us the inaugural act of the Christmas Tree in the Presidency of the Republic.

It is of course a very simple gesture; but, even so, a gesture which I would like to be interpreted as proof of the great admiration and friendship that Portugal feels for all its firemen.

Together with our best thanks to Portuguese firemen and their families we address our wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.