Volunteers help Covid response

THE VOLUNTEER Protección Civil team in Benitachell is playing a ‘priceless’ role in the ongoing battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, the town hall said.

During the health emergency, members delivered food to needy families, distributed masks to homes and ferried cleaners and equipment to disinfect public places.

Their role during the crisis was highlighted in the annual report for 2020, which showed volunteers carried out 2,476 hours of service, 363 more than in the previous 12 months.

Councillor for citizen security María José Ivars paid tribute: “The selfless dedication, cutting into hours of their private life to keep our town safe is priceless. They are always there when you need them for any type of emergency.

“And over the last year, it is necessary to point out even more their efforts; because they have been available unconditionally throughout the state of emergency.”

Work related to the health emergency included food deliveries, in collaboration with the charity Cáritas, to families most in need, and also taking medication to patients from the town’s chemists.

Volunteers also helped distribute masks. They were involved in the first campaign last April, when 4,000 were delivered to residents aged over 60, and in June took part in the ‘mass delivery’ of 15,000 face coverings to the entire town.

In addition, members joined the local police to battle the aftermath of Storm Gloria in January 2020 and also took part in the response to 27 emergencies – three fires, eight accidents, 14 search and rescue missions and two other extreme weather alerts.

The team also mounted its annual fire watch, helped out at a number of fiestas and other events that did go ahead, and took part in training exercises.