DF mission reports emotion of rescues in RS. Watch the video: “Priceless feeling to be able to help”

Having been operating during the floods that hit Rio Grande do Sul for three days, members of the Federal District Military Fire Brigade (CBMDF) rescued 88 adults, 18 children and 22 domestic animals. The corporation’s task force will initially remain until the 16th of this month in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, divided into the cities of São Leopoldo and Bento Gonçalves.

In total, 16 soldiers, two of whom are from Civil Defense, were sent by the GDF to the southern region of Brazil. One of these professionals is Fire Department captain Eduardo Martins. He describes the dramatic scenario seen in these last three days by the DF mission.

“The scenario of destruction that happened here through water is something I had never witnessed in my career. It really is a catastrophe in the neighborhoods that were affected, people are isolated. For most of them, in their homes, there is a lack of food and water. In some flooded places, people were removed using ropes or other technical means that we are using to support all the corporations that are here. I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s very shocking.”

‌Firefighters began the rescues on Sunday (5), when 21 adults, six children and nine domestic animals were rescued. On Monday (6), this support was given to 28 adults, six children and seven domestic animals, while on Tuesday (7) it was given to 39 adults, six children and six domestic animals.

According to Captain Martins, the population’s feeling of gratitude is priceless. “It’s very gratifying to be here, because when a team of firefighters comes in to save a family that is stranded, has no more food or is running out of resources, that person sees it and asks where we are from. We say: ‘we are from Brasília, we are from the Federal District’, and people automatically get emotional and start crying. This is very moving for us, also because we are here for it. We came to help.”

In São Leopoldo, firefighters use boats to carry out searches and rescues in areas affected by flooding. In Bento Gonçalves, dogs were used to search for missing people in the mountain region, as well as a search and rescue team in collapsed structures. According to firefighters, this region is difficult to access, which makes it necessary to use helicopters to reach the most remote areas.

‌Brasília for the South Emergency Committee

‌On Tuesday, Governor Ibaneis Rocha ordered the creation of an emergency committee to collect donations destined for Rio Grande do Sul.

The group will be responsible for receiving, planning and coordinating the donation collection campaign. The committee’s actions will be managed by the Executive Head of Social Policies, coordinated by the first lady of the DF, Mayara Noronha Rocha.

The Brasília for the South Emergency Committee includes State secretariats, public bodies and agencies, such as the DF Water, Energy and Sanitation Regulatory Agency (Adasa) and the Environmental Sanitation Company (Caesb). Representatives from civil society associations and federations, the DF Court of Auditors (TCDF) and the Legislative Chamber of the DF (CLDF) will also be invited to join the team.

Where to donate

Citizens interested in helping the population of Rio Grande do Sul can take donations to collection points.

Among the emergency items are:

→ mattresses;
→ water;
→ bedding;
→ bath towels;
→ blankets;
→ hygiene material;
→ cleaning materials;
→ powdered milk;
→ animal feed;
→ basic food baskets;
→ absorbents;
→ underwear;
→ baby bottles with nipples;
→ children’s and geriatric diapers.

Collection points:

⇒ DF Military Fire Department Barracks
⇒ Brasília Air Base / Military Area of ​​Brasília International Airport. Opening hours: 8am to 6pm
⇒ Buriti Palace Annex, rooms 104 and 900. Opening hours: 8am to 6pm.