Azores Civil Protection carries out TOURO24 drill in Terceira to test response to seismovolcanic scenario
Alonso Miguel delivers fire truck tanker to Graciosa Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters
Alonso Miguel congratulates Praia da Vitória firefighters who became national champion
O Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores (SRPCBA) é o departamento que depende da Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática e que tem como atribuições orientar, coordenar e fiscalizar, a nível da Região Autónoma dos Açores, as atividades de Proteção Civil e dos Corpos de Bombeiros, bem como assegurar o funcionamento de um sistema de transporte terrestre de emergência médica, de forma a garantir, aos sinistrados ou vítimas de doença súbita, a pronta e correta prestação de cuidados de saúde.
Deste modo, ao lançarmos esta página pretendemos para além de dar a conhecer a estrutura orgânica do SRPCBA, ou seja, os seus órgãos e serviços, pretendemos também disponibilizar ao cidadão informação sobre avisos de mau tempo, comunicados de sismos e notas informativas.
Por fim, esperamos que esta página possa vir constituir um meio privilegiado de diálogo em torno das temáticas nela abordadas e que os vossos comentários e sugestões possam contribuir para a melhoria do funcionamento do SRPCBA, em benefício dos cidadãos.
June 3, 2024
Azores Civil Protection carries out TOURO24 drill in Terceira to test response to seismovolcanic scenario
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) will carry out the TOURO24 drill between June 6 and 8 on the island of Terceira to test the response capacity of the various civil protection agents in the face of a seismovolcanic scenario. The drill will simulate an increase in seismic activity in the western part of the island, specifically in the Santa Bárbara volcano, which will cause volcanic activity and high-magnitude earthquakes. Based on this scenario, the various civil protection agents will have to respond to the events that will be triggered, testing their capacity for response and coordination. The largest civil protection drill organised by SRPCBA, TOURO24 will run for 72 hours, using the LIVEX (Live Exercise) format, i.e. the movement of resources on the ground. It is expected to mobilise more than 400 participants with direct and indirect intervention, including operatives, entities and extras. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, who is responsible for Civil Protection, will follow the operations of TOURO24 on the ground. According to Alonso Miguel, the drill is "a way of improving the response of civil protection agents and ensuring that the Region is better prepared to face serious accidents or catastrophes." During the drill, requests for help will be made as if they were real situations, with events such as obstructed roads, slope movements, communications failures, search and rescue in collapsed structures, setting up concentration and support zones for the population and preventive evacuations, among other incidents that could be part of a situation of this kind. They will be staged in different locations on the island. About 30 organisations are taking part in TOURO24, including civil protection agents (fire brigades from all the islands, security forces, armed forces, the National Maritime Authority, health professionals and the Portuguese Red Cross), local councils, government departments and organisations with a duty to cooperate, technical and scientific research institutions, utility and communications companies, and media outlets. This year's event will also include a group of judges made up of members of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, the Lisbon Sapper Fire Brigade, the Regional Civil Protection Service of Madeira, the National Institute of Medical Emergency and the command of the Flores and Corvo fire brigades.
May 10, 2024
Alonso Miguel delivers fire truck tanker to Graciosa Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, presided over the delivery ceremony of a fire truck tanker to the Graciosa Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters this Thursday. On the occasion, he noted that this is "a piece of equipment representing a long-awaited ambition and a pressing need for the proper operation of the island's only fire brigade. It is an indispensable tool for the protection of people and property on Graciosa Island." The head of Civil Protection stated that this ceremony was particularly symbolic. It marks the beginning of the plan to renovate the red fleet vehicles of Azorean fire brigades, within the remit of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, through the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), with the delivery of the first red vehicle of a set of nine vehicles already awarded, including fire tankers, emergency vehicles, rescue vehicles and a multi-victim transport vehicle. According to him, this represents "an overall planned investment of 3.4 million Euros," adding that the fire truck tanker delivered during the ceremony corresponds to an investment of more than 310 thousand Euros. Alonso Miguel noted that "several regional governments have not purchased red vehicles to outfit and renovate the fleet of regional Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Fire Brigade since 2010. For this reason, this is a strategic and fundamental investment for the civil protection system and the operation of regional fire brigades." In this regard, he added that "we will also deliver a multi-victim transport vehicle to the island of Flores in 2024, in addition to the estimated delivery of another three red vehicles to the Region in 2024, which will be delivered to Praia da Vitória, Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande." "We expect to receive the remaining five vehicles in 2025," he continued. He added: "In 2024, we have the firm intention of launching a new tender for the acquisition of another five vehicles, so that, in just three years, 14 red vehicles will be distributed to our fire brigades according to operational criteria, need and suitability." The government official also stated that "there are plans to invest about 370 thousand Euros in 2024 to purchase equipment for the SRPCBA and fire brigades, namely civil protection emergency kits, breathing apparatus and other equipment indispensable for good operational performance." The Regional Secretary stated that "all these investments represent a considerable financial effort which, combined with a strong commitment to the training and specialisation of firefighters and to raising awareness among the population, demonstrate the clear and unwavering commitment of the Regional Government to improving human and material resources. These are essential to the proper operation of fire services and the response capacity of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service for the protection and safeguarding of the population." "As this is the first public opportunity I have with you, I have to offer a word of gratitude and praise to the firefighters who fought the HDES fire last Saturday," he added. According to Alonso Miguel, "the performance of those men and women is truly inspiring. It demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and courage and was a practical example of the skills and commitment of the Azorean firefighters to the noblest of missions: protecting human life." Alonso Miguel ended his speech by congratulating the Graciosa Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters on the integration of this important piece of equipment into their red vehicle fleet, noting that "it is another fundamental contribution to their capability building in terms of emergency response and action, in addition to improving the conditions for the rescue and well-being of the Graciosa population." "You can continue to count on the commitment of the Regional Government so that, side by side, we can guarantee all the necessary conditions to fulfil the missions entrusted to you and ensure an effective civil protection system in ou region," he said.