Friend from Barquinha
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- None yet; perhaps the Portugese (2021?)
From the central Tejo news website: http://www.mediotejo.net/macao-apre...al-para-seguranca-em-percursos-pedestres-ser/
Edited translation:
'Participants in the auditorium of the Cultural Center in Mação will discuss a plan that will be integrated by the Camping and Mountaineering Federation of Portugal as a National Pilot Project for Safety in Hiking.
“There is a flaw in Portugal in the context of hiking assistance for those who feel ill in the middle of nature during a walk or pedestrian walk, and based on our experience, we created in Mação a plan that will be replicated, in a pilot phase, at the national level”, mediotejo.net was told.
The idea is to place relief beacons every two kilometers with numbered posts placed on the ground. If someone feels bad, call the fire department and the pole has a geographic coordinate that allows firefighters to know immediately where the person is.'
This would be particularly effective because every town over about 1000 people--and there are many!--has a volunteer fire department that typically also includes ambulance-driving first response tasks.
I believe they already have a similar system, with solar-powered phones, along the toll highways. Not on the minor untolled highways or other roads--the ones caminho walkers are likely to be near.
Image of possible post:
Portuguese local authorities love this kind of infrastructure projects. Would it be helpful to encourage it for the Caminhos Portugues? Opinions?
(By the way, I have no idea whether the government would consider this for the Caminhos; my curiosity is to whether pilgrims/potential pilgrims would consider it too much the "nanny state" and over-protective on what many consider an adventure, or whether they would find it welcome.)
Edited translation:
'Participants in the auditorium of the Cultural Center in Mação will discuss a plan that will be integrated by the Camping and Mountaineering Federation of Portugal as a National Pilot Project for Safety in Hiking.
“There is a flaw in Portugal in the context of hiking assistance for those who feel ill in the middle of nature during a walk or pedestrian walk, and based on our experience, we created in Mação a plan that will be replicated, in a pilot phase, at the national level”, mediotejo.net was told.
The idea is to place relief beacons every two kilometers with numbered posts placed on the ground. If someone feels bad, call the fire department and the pole has a geographic coordinate that allows firefighters to know immediately where the person is.'
This would be particularly effective because every town over about 1000 people--and there are many!--has a volunteer fire department that typically also includes ambulance-driving first response tasks.
I believe they already have a similar system, with solar-powered phones, along the toll highways. Not on the minor untolled highways or other roads--the ones caminho walkers are likely to be near.
Image of possible post:
Portuguese local authorities love this kind of infrastructure projects. Would it be helpful to encourage it for the Caminhos Portugues? Opinions?
(By the way, I have no idea whether the government would consider this for the Caminhos; my curiosity is to whether pilgrims/potential pilgrims would consider it too much the "nanny state" and over-protective on what many consider an adventure, or whether they would find it welcome.)
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