The Funchal Sapadores Fire Brigade (CBSF) celebrates its 138th anniversary in 2026, reaffirming its position as one of the oldest and most structuring civil protection institutions on Madeira Island.
Its origins date back to September 24, 1888, when the Funchal Municipal Council approved the regulation for the company's creation. In 2016, the Funchal Sapadores Fire Corps was formally established, succeeding the Municipal Firefighters but retaining the 1888 founding date as the official historical reference.
The CBSF has a broad mission encompassing fire prevention and fighting, rescue operations for accidents like floods and collapses, and emergency pre-hospital medical transport. The brigade operates 24/7, ensuring continuous response to the Funchal population. In 2024, they performed 10,121 services, including 6,910 pre-hospital emergencies and 351 fire suppression incidents.
