Lisbon Firefighter Carlos Amaro: From Airport Watchdog to Earthquake Hero
Carlos Amaro has been a pillar of the Lisbon Fire Brigade since 2001. Rising swiftly through the ranks to Subchefe Principal, he now commands the First Intervention team at the elite Special Operations and Training Battalion (BIDF). Here, he leads the Rescue Intervention Team (RIT) and backs the coordination of the USAR Module.
Airport Guardian Turned Earthquake Lifesaver
From 2008 to 2014, Carlos kept Lisbon International Airport safe, overseeing critical emergency responses. But his defining moment came in 2023 on the rubble-strewn streets of Turkey. As part of the Portuguese Joint Operational Force (FOCon), Carlos risked it all to save 10-year-old Baran, trapped beneath debris for six harrowing days.
Bravery Awarded and Training Legacy Secured
For his heroic efforts, Carlos received the prestigious Medal of the Order of Merit, from none other than Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Beyond battling disasters, he shaped future lifesavers as head of training at the RSB Lisbon Fire School between 2016 and 2024. He also co-founded the Portuguese National Association for Rescue and Extrication (ANSD) in 2012.
World Rescue Organisation’s Go-To Expert
- Serving as Technical and Command Assessor for ANSD since 2013
- Assessor for the World Rescue Organisation (WRO) from 2015 onwards
- Judged high-stakes rescue contests across Portugal, the UK, Ireland, France, Croatia, Brazil, Romania, South Africa, and Luxembourg
- Twice chosen as Assessor for World Rescue Challenges in Portugal (2015 & 2024)
- Named Deputy Extrication Lead for the WRO in February 2024, collaborating with top experts from the USA, South Africa, Ireland, and the UK
Carlos Amaro’s fearless leadership and expert skills continue to make him a global rescue legend, saving lives and setting the gold standard in emergency training worldwide.
