Regional Government delivers four-wheel drive vehicle to Nordeste Fire Brigade to reinforce rescue operations on hiking trails
The Regional Secretary for Health delivered today a four-wheel drive vehicle to the Nordeste Volunteer Firefighters, which will improve "safety conditions" of rescue operations on the hiking trails of this municipality on the island of São Miguel.
Teresa Machado Luciano highlighted the new challenges arising from with the growth of tourism in the Azores and the Government's commitment to improving the resources provided to the 17 fire departments of all islands of the archipelago.
The government official stated that the Regional Government has awarded priority status to the improvement of firefighters' working conditions by “investing in infrastructures, equipment and training.”
Teresa Machado Luciano also pointed out the goal of providing “better working conditions” to Azorean firefighters, which will be achieved this year with a wage increase, an unprecedented decision at national level.
On the occasion, the Regional Secretary also recalled the 40th anniversary of Nordeste Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters, a celebration taking place in the year when the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service also marks its 40th anniversary. As she emphasised, "they are partners who were born and grew up together."
The new vehicle, an investment of about 29 thousand Euros, will improve efficiency and safety in search and rescue operations on hiking trails. It will also support the remaining intervention areas of the Nordeste Fire Brigade. They currently include three dozen firefighters and responded to 684 occurrences last year.