Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service celebrates 45th anniversary - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) celebrated its 45th anniversary at a ceremony held last Saturday at the Capitães-Generais Palace in Angra do Heroísmo. It was chaired by the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, and attended by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, who oversees Civil Protection in the Azores.

During the ceremony, Alonso Miguel stated that "Civil Protection represents a pact between political power and society, between those who govern and those who protect, and between those who serve and those who trust." He added that "the Regional Civil Protection System must be a factor of social cohesion, playing a crucial role in the safety and well-being of the Azorean population."

"In an island territory such as the Azores, marked by geographical dispersion and vulnerability to extreme natural phenomena, often aggravated by climate change, Civil Protection asserts itself as a relevant, differentiated and capable structure to act effectively and in an integrated manner in the face of the Region's unique demands," he said.

The government official stated that “the Regional Government has taken a clear stance that protecting is governing. It has placed civil protection at the core of strategic decisions, promoting increased investment in infrastructures and equipment, valuing human resources, and creating legal and financial instruments to guarantee stability, predictability, and fairness in the sector.”

“Over the last four years, more than 46 million Euros have been invested in civil protection and firefighting in the Azores. In 2025, we will have the largest investment plan ever, with a budget of around 14 million Euros,” he recalled.

Alonso Miguel highlighted some of the main advances and achievements of recent years, such as "the creation of a new financing model for the Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters of the Azores in early 2025. It has rectified historical imbalances by providing half a million Euros annually to ensure financial stability and predictability for these institutions."

The Regional Secretary also highlighted "the strong commitment to renewing and modernising the rescue fleet, something that had not happened since 2010. This has been achieved through the acquisition of nine heavy fire truck tankers and a multi-victim tow truck, with the launch of a tender for the purchase of 19 Tactical Self-Command vehicles and a new tender for the acquisition of another five specialised fire vehicles,” corresponding to an overall investment of more than 6.2 million Euros.

The new Social Status for Volunteer Firefighters was also highlighted, which "maintains the previously established benefits in the areas of education, health and housing support." It introduces relevant changes, "namely the support for length-of-service bonuses for retirement purposes to fully exempt firefighters from paying for this benefit," and volunteering incentives, "with the allocation of annual financial support to firefighters who carry out the operational work established on a voluntary basis."

The government official also highlighted "the enormous effort, in conjunction with the Associations and the Azores Fire Federation, to dignify, protect and recognise the work of firefighters, starting with the updating of salary scales, as seen at the end of 2024. There were increases of more than 100 Euros per month at the bottom of the career ladder and 220 Euros at the top, but there was also a stronger focus on training and significant investment in personal protective equipment, which has exceeded 600 thousand Euros over the last four years."

Alonso Miguel also pointed out the redefinition of the pre-hospital emergency medical policy, which is now "closer, stronger and more professional, with more equipment, more specialised training and more resources for transporting victims." He revealed that "the planned investment in this area for 2025 is set at 7.9 million Euros, corresponding to an increase of 61% compared to 2020."

Among the main investments in pre-hospital emergency medical care, the government official highlighted "the renewal of the Emergency Ambulance Fleet, with the acquisition of another nine  ambulances, an investment of about one million Euros; the reinforcement of the Immediate Life Support Vehicle System, with the delivery of two new Immediate Life Support vehicles and three telemetry devices in October 2024, representing an investment of over 160 thousand Euros; and the reinforcement of Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency crews, with four additional crews since May 2025, corresponding to an additional investment of around 460 thousand Euros per year."

According to Alonso Miguel, “these decisions, measures and investments are not improvised. They are the result of an integrated vision, where civil protection is not just a reaction but also planning, public policy and a statement of the Region's ability to take care of itself.”

"Civil protection is not just an emergency response system. It contributes directly to the well-being and economic development of communities, promotes a sense of safety and fosters mutual trust between the population and the authorities," he stressed.

The Regional Secretary stated that “in an archipelago where geography poses constant challenges, investing in civil protection is investing in regional sovereignty. It is about ensuring that, in the face of adversity, we have the means, skills and leadership. It is about asserting that autonomy is not measured solely in statutes but in the ability to protect every Azorean on every island and in all circumstances.”

The government official concluded by stating that "the organisational model, the capacity for inter-institutional coordination, its integration into the territory and the level of technical training make the SRPCBA a national and international benchmark today."

Alonso Miguel also acknowledged "the important role played by the former Presidents of the SRPCBA," who were honoured at the ceremony, "in building the Region's civil protection system." He also highlighted "the exemplary leadership of the current President, Major Rui Andrade, who has been instrumental in many of the achievements made in recent years." He also expressed his "appreciation and gratitude to the professionals at SRPCBA for their dedication and competence, as well as for the extraordinary work they do every day and the fundamental contribution they make to the recognised excellence of the Service, which is a source of pride for everyone."