Vasco Cordeiro praises spirit of service of firefighters deployed to Madeira and Mainland Portugal
The President of the Government praised today the spirit of service and self-sacrifice of Azorean firefighters who volunteered to help fighting the fires affecting the Autonomous Region of Madeira and Mainland Portugal.
"I would like to, as President of the Government, praise the availability, the spirit of service and the self-sacrifice of the 30 firefighters who went to Madeira as well as the many others who volunteered to help in other parts of the country. In the difficult situation we are living, they are the living proof of this spirit of solidarity," said Vasco Cordeiro.
Thirty firefighters belonging to fire brigades from São Miguel and Terceira, coordinated by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, are on the island of Madeira to help fighting fires from the early hours of Wednesday. They were integrated into the Association of Association of Calheta Volunteer Firefighters.
The decision of the President of the Government was taken after telephone contacts with the President of the Government of Madeira, following the Azorean Government's availability to provide support and the request for assistance that was made by the Government of Madeira.
In addition to the firefighters who are in Madeira, seven members of Praia da Vitória fire brigade travelled to Mainland Portugal, also on Wednesday, to provide assistance in fighting forest fires affecting the areas of Proenca-a-Nova and Mação.
"They are all a great source of pride for the Azores and for the Azorean people. This word of appraisal and recognition is due because it is truly deserved," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.