José Manuel Bolieiro praises excellence and dedication of Azorean firefighters at World Trauma Championships - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired the closing ceremony of the World Trauma and Extrication Championship, held in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island.

The event, which brought together around 600 firefighters from 23 countries, highlighted the excellence and courage of the rescue professionals who risk their lives daily to save others.

"These men and women are true heroes of our communities, examples of bravery and altruism," stated José Manuel Bolieiro.

Organised by the World Rescue Organisation, in partnership with the Praia da Vitória Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters (AHBVPV) and various local and regional entities, the competition saw the participation of 72 teams, including 17 from Mainland Portugal and three from the Azores. The competitions provided an opportunity for firefighters to demonstrate and refine their technical skills in simulated road accident scenarios in a time trial effort that tested their dexterity, coordination and effectiveness in rescuing victims.

According to the head of the Azorean Government, this event is more than a competition: it is a "moment of learning and improvement" where the teams exchange knowledge and good practices.

When they participate in demanding extrication and trauma tests, rescue professionals refine their skills and prepare themselves to face real-life situations more effectively.

For the Regional Government, being a partner in these training programmes is essential. As the President of the Government stressed, the Government "is committed to reinforcing investment in civil protection and rescue teams, providing them with the best resources and training so that they can continue to provide a better service to the Azorean population."

Praia da Vitória was a symbolic choice for the event, as the local team won the world trauma title in 2017, during a competition held in Romania. In addition to the title, the Azorean team took 1st place in the Standard Trauma competition and 3rd place in the Complex Trauma competition, an achievement that raised the Region to prominence and highlighted the expertise of the Azorean firefighters.

Also present at the closing ceremony were several prominent figures in the area of civil protection and rescue, such as Vânia Ferreira, Mayor of Praia da Vitória, Álamo Meneses, Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo, and Rui Andrade, President of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), among others. Paul Schroeder, Director of the World Rescue Organisation, and Luís Figueiredo, President of the National Rescue and Extrication Association, highlighted the relevance of this exchange of experiences, which will better prepare firefighters and raise global awareness of road accidents.

"Recognising and valuing the work of our firefighters and rescue teams strengthens public safety and ensures our communities are better protected. These professionals deserve all the support they can get, and the Government will be at their side to ensure they have the necessary conditions to carry out their missions efficiently," noted José Manuel Bolieiro.

In addition to testing firefighters' technical and coordination skills, this event promotes a safety culture and brings public awareness regarding the importance of prevention and emergency assistance.