The Regional Secretary for Health stressed today, at the delivery of new equipment to the five fire brigades of São Miguel Island, that the Regional Government is "committed to the support and provision of assistance to the population," highlighting the "growing investment in infrastructures, equipment and training." 

Teresa Machado Luciano spoke in Vila Franca during the delivery of 34 self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) and five nebulousness to the Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters of Nordeste, Ponta Delgada, Povoação, Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca do Campo. 

The government official pointed out that it was an investment of 134 thousand Euros in 100 self-contained breathing apparatuses, which have been distributed to all regional fire departments, and 17 nebulisers, one for each humanitarian association. 

For Teresa Machado Luciano, these investments will "significantly improve the operational capacity and the promptness of our fire brigades," adapting their response to new requirements and, above all, "raising the quality of support and the provision of assistance to the population." 

The Regional Secretary recalled that about 1.7 million Euros were invested in the fire brigades of São Miguel in 2019: 1.3 million Euros for patient transport, 50 thousand Euros for training and more than 50 thousand Euros for the purchase of uniforms and miscellaneous equipment. 

"This year, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service and we do so in a particularly difficult and demanding context," the government official said, noting that firefighters responded with "commitment, dedication and courage" to the challenge arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on São Miguel, the most affected island. 

In this context, the Regional Government was committed to ensure the protection of professionals, providing biological intervention kits for ambulances, accommodation for firefighters in isolation, personal protective equipment and training for their proper use, in addition to a specific occupational accident insurance with COVID-19 coverage. 

As for the 34 self-contained breathing apparatuses delivered today, 12 are addressed to the Ponta Delgada Fire Department and 10 to the Ribeira Grande Fire Department. In turn, Fire Departments of Nordeste, Povoação and Vila Franca do Campo each received four devices. 

These new self-contained breathing apparatuses, with autonomy of about 35 minutes, are more modern and lighter. They ensure a more efficient intervention in environments with contaminated atmospheres or with deficient oxygen concentrations, protecting airways and the face. 

Each Humanitarian Association received a nebuliser, a piece of equipment designed to disinfect the surfaces of ambulances. 

Teresa Machado Luciano praised the professionalism and commitment of these professionals, recognising their "solidarity and selflessness" in an archipelago so often devasted by extreme phenomena.