José Manuel Bolieiro delivers two new ambulances to Ponta DelgadaFire Brigade and reiterates "commitment" to Civil Protection - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired the delivery ceremony of two emergency ambulances to the Ponta Delgada Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters (AHBV-PD).

Accompanied by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, the head of the Azoren Government highlighted the importance of this initiative as part of a "strategy for the continuous enhancement" of firefighters and "improvement of the operational capacity" of regional fire brigades. 

The two ambulances now delivered represent an investment of about 200 thousand Euros, included in a larger package of nine vehicles acquired for the Region, totalling approximately one million Euros. In addition to these, a Fire Truck Tanker was recently delivered to the same association, corresponding to an investment of more than 310 thousand Euros, bringing the total amount invested in the Ponta Delgada corporation alone to over half a million Euros.

José Manuel Bolieiro praised the Association's key role, acknowledging it as "a symbol of dedication, resilience and commitment to the life and well-being of the population."

He also highlighted the regional importance of the corporation, which covers a vast geographical area encompassing the municipalities of Ponta Delgada and Lagoa. It is responsible for an average of more than 13 thousand incidents per year, about 36 per day, corresponding to 47% of the operational activity on the island of São Miguel.

The head of the Azorean Government also praised the leadership of the Association's current management and command. He highlighted the work done by President João Paulo Medeiros and Commander Nuno Barbosa, whose actions "have been decisive in the structuring, modernisation and sustained growth of the corporation," with special reference to the efforts towards financial consolidation and investment in infrastructures and the fire brigade.

As the President of the Government mentioned, the Azorean fire brigade plays an irreplaceable role in the civil protection system, although it is a private entity.

José Manuel Bolieiro also recalled the existing weaknesses when he took over the leadership of the Regional Government in 2020, with associations struggling financially, firefighters demanding better working conditions, and equipment and vehicles reaching the end of their useful life.

"It was urgent and imperative to take action," he stressed.

Since then, the Regional Government has adopted an innovative financing model based on criteria of fairness and transparency, promoted a historic review of salaries, with increases of more than 100 Euros per month, and revised the Firefighter Social Status for Volunteer Firefighters, introducing direct support for volunteers and their families.

In terms of equipment, an investment of more than 600 thousand Euros has been made in personal protective equipment over the last four years, including suits, helmets, boots, and gloves. The Government has also launched a Fire Fleet Renewal Plan, with the acquisition of fire vehicles for the first time since 2010. 

Nine new vehicles costing 3.3 million Euros have already been awarded. Tenders are currently underway for the acquisition of 19 Tactical Self-Command vehicles (800 thousand Euros) and another five operational vehicles (two million Euros).

Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency (EMPH), which represents 90% of the operational activity of fire brigades in the Azores, has been a priority. The Investment Plan for 2025 provides for €7.9 million, representing a 61% increase over 2020. Since May of this year, São Miguel has had three additional medical emergency crews, with two assigned to the Ponta Delgada Association, representing an additional annual investment of approximately 230 thousand Euros. 

“Investing in firefighters is investing in life. And in the Azores, life is and always will be the top priority,” José Manuel Bolieiro, concluded, reiterating the Regional Government’s commitment to the sector and t the safety of the population.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Furtado, the President of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service, Rui Andrade, the President of the Ponta Delgada Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters, João Medeiros, and the Commander of the Ponta Delgada Fire Brigade, Nuno Barbosa.