The Regional Secretary for Health highlighted in Angra do Heroísmo the importance and quality of the Training Centre of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service in the preparation of firefighters from all over the archipelago.
"We are talking about eight fire brigades from six islands of the archipelago that have provided their volunteers with the opportunity to attending this training for five weeks," said Rui Luís. The government official conveyed his satisfaction with the participation of these 15 elements, emphasising the fact that they are volunteers.
Rui Luís chaired the delivery ceremony of certificates to participants in the training course for Rescue Ambulance Crew. At the occasion, he revealed that his department promoted 59 courses this year, covering several areas and a total of 580 members of the Azores fire brigades.
In his speech, he highlighted the relevance of this training course for the acquisition of skills in an area that deals with "the rescue and transportation of victims of sudden illness or, possibly, trauma."
With the completion of this training, the Region is endowed with 267 certificated firefighters who completed the Course for Rescue Ambulance Crew.
This course, which began on September 4, was directed to the members of the fire brigades of Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island), Calheta and Velas (S. Jorge Island), São Roque and Lajes (Pico Island), Horta (Faial Island), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island), and Flores Island.
The Course for Rescue Ambulance Crew is the most comprehensive course for firefighters, with a duration of five weeks. It follows standardised rules that contribute to decreased mortality and morbidity.
Last year, Azorean firefighters were called to respond to more than 32,200 occurrences, of which 30,121 were related to health care assistance.
In the first nine months of this year, 26,321 assistance requests concerned health situations.
Rui Luís recalled that the certification of Azorean firefighters and the efficient use of the Civil Protection Training Centre located on Terceira are a commitment taken by the Government in its Programme.