The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service and the Azores Operational Command will organise the AÇOR14 drill in a joint action to provide a response to natural disasters that might occur in the archipelago.

The drill will be held on the island of Faial. It will involve the participation of Civil Protection agents and military personnel, who will coordinate their intervention in order to ensure the safety of people and goods in several emergency situations.

The scenario of AÇOR14 is based on the geological, seismic and volcanic features of the Azores and the natural hazards arising therefrom.

In a first phase, the drill aims to test the plans and methods for deploying operational, both civilian and military, to a heavily affected area, followed by relief efforts. The activity takes into consideration the territorial constraints of the archipelago. In a later phase, drill includes the testing of the evacuation procedures of the population.

On 7 June, the Regional Secretary for Health and the Commander of the Azores Operational Command will assess the outcome of the drill.