Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service with priority access to elderly homes and continuing care units
The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, Andreia Cardoso, and the Regional Secretary for Health, Luís Cabral, signed protocols with the Azores Fire Federation to ensure firefighters priority access to nursing homes, inpatient units and home support teams that make up the Regional Network of Integrated Continuing Care.
At the signing of the protocols, which took place Friday in Vila Franca do Campo, Luís Cabral stressed that this is the Regional Government's "recognition" of the efforts undertaken by firefighters. In this context, he pointed out as example the recent mission in Madeira, where thirty Azorean men and women provided assistance in fighting fires.
"On several occasions, regional fire brigades have been called to provide support to the populations in key interventions in order to prevent further damage and, above all, to save lives. The support provided to your peers in the Autonomous Region of Madeira came prove this," said the government official.
The protocols now signed follow the Regional Legislative Decree no.10/2015/A, which ensures the access of Azorean firefighters to several rights and benefits embodied in this legal document, according to the archipelago's specific features.
With this legal document, firefighters will now benefit from fee exemption in primary and hospital care, even when they are not on duty, as well as from an increase of benefits in education.
The signing of these protocols has implemented another measure provided in the document, namely the access to elderly homes and continuing care units.
All firefighters as well as the members of the governing bodies of firefighters' associations and of the Azores Firefighters' Federation with, at least, 15 years of good behaviour and service are eligible for these benefits. Furthermore, they are required to prove their social situation of material deprivation.
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service is responsible for promoting priority access of volunteer firefighters to elderly homes as well as to continuing care units under the conditions now established by the protocol with the Regional Secretariats for Social Solidarity and Health.
The Regional Legislative Decree no.10/2015/A has adapted the legislation defining the legal scheme applicable to Portuguese firefighters in Mainland Portugal to the reality of the Region.