Rui Luís announces revision of financing model for humanitarian association of firefighters
The Regional Secretary for Health announced in Horta the creation of a working group that will be in charge of conducting the survey on the needs and the financial reality of humanitarian association of volunteer firefighters in the Azores.
"This group will have the mission to propose a new financing model that congregates not only the responsibilities of the Regional Government, but also those assigned to other entities such as municipalities; the latter play a fundamental role in civil protection," said Rui Luís.
The government official spoke to journalists after being heard at the Committee on General Policy of the Legislative Assembly, stressing that the new model should be concluded next year.
The six-month working group is coordinated by the President of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service. Moreover, it will be responsible for preparing quarterly reports and a final report on its activity.
This group includes the President of the Azores Firefighters' Federation, representatives of the Association of Municipalities of the Azores, the Regional Directorates for Transport and Health, and the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service.
The investments planned for this sector in the year 2018 amount to seven million Euros. In addition to supporting firefighters' associations, they will provide funds for infrastructures, equipment and vehicles.
"The training and awareness-raising actions and sensitization of professionals and the population are another fundamental area of investment to which we will give priority, taking into account the peculiar reality of the Azores in the level of the climatic and seismological conditions", emphasized Rui Luís.