The Regional Secretary for Health stated on the island of Pico that the Government has sought to be an important partner of Azorean firefighters, making “large investments to keep professionals safe and the population protected.” 

Teresa Machado Luciano chaired, on behalf of the President of the Government, the ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Madalena Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters. On the occasion, she stressed that the Government has awarded priority status to “the improvement of the working conditions of the 17 fire brigades throughout the archipelago," investing in infrastructures, equipment and training. 

In the case of Madalena Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters, Teresa Machado Luciano stressed that the Regional Government has granted 230 thousand Euros in 2019 to support the transport of patients, costs with vehicles and fuel, purchase of uniforms and equipment, and the qualification firefighters. Last year, these professionals participated in 11 training initiatives. 

The government official also recalled that the Madalena Fire Department recently received four self-contained breathing apparatuses and a nebuliser for disinfection and decontamination of ambulance surfaces. The equipment is being distributed to all fire departments across the Region, representing an overall investment from the Regional Government of 134 thousand Euros. 

Regarding infrastructures, Teresa Machado Luciano mentioned the expansion of Santa Maria, Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes do Pico barracks, whose works have already been completed. Moreover, she pointed out the construction of the new Povoação barracks, which is in progress, and the Faial barracks, whose works are due to start soon as the respective contract has already been signed. 

The Regional Government has recently increased the financial allocation for the ambulance transport of patients by 17%, responding to the growth in the provision of these services, as well as the ambulances and crew members available for this purpose. Overall, the co-financing of patient transport services grew 37% in the current legislative period.
 
According to Teresa Machado Luciano, the Madalena Humanitarian Association of Voluntary Firefighters, under the command of Lisa Melo, is “an example for all associations in the Region and the country” with regard to equal opportunities, “demonstrating that there are no exclusive duties for men or just for women.”