Governo dos Açores reforça Proteção Civil com nova frota de ambulâncias de socorro
TOURO25 drill boosts promptness and effectiveness of Civil Protection system in the Azores, says Alonso Miguel
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) is a department under the administration of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, whose mission is to guide, coordinate and supervise civil protection and the activities of fire brigades in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. It is also responsible for ensuring the operation of a medical emergency ground transport system to guarantee the prompt and correct provision of health care to victims of sudden illness.
In launching this page, we not only want to make the SRPCBA's organisational structure known, i.e. its bodies and services, but we also want to provide citizens with information on severe weather warnings, reports on seismic events and information notices.
We hope this page serves as a valuable platform for dialogue on its themes, and that your comments and suggestions will help enhance the operation of the SRPCBA for the benefit of citizens.
November 19, 2025
Governo dos Açores reforça Proteção Civil com nova frota de ambulâncias de socorro
A Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, através do Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores, adjudicou, recentemente, um concurso público para a aquisição de doze ambulâncias de socorro, num investimento total de 880.860,00 euros, que serão adquiridas no âmbito do Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR). Este esforço integra-se numa estratégia abrangente do Governo dos Açores, que visa modernizar, expandir e reforçar a frota de ambulâncias ao serviço dos diversos corpos de bombeiros do arquipélago. Para Alonso Miguel, Secretário Regional com a tutela da Proteção Civil nos Açores, “estas novas viaturas, equipadas com tecnologia de ponta para o transporte e prestação de cuidados de emergência médica, irão não só aumentar a capacidade de resposta às emergências, como também garantir melhores condições de trabalho para os profissionais de saúde e bombeiros envolvidos nas operações de socorro”. “A modernização da frota contribuirá diretamente para uma maior eficácia na prestação de cuidados pré-hospitalares, assegurando que os sinistrados ou vítimas de doença súbita recebem uma assistência rápida e qualificada”, prosseguiu. O Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores, sob a tutela da Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática, desempenha um papel central na gestão do sistema de transporte terrestre de emergência médica nos Açores, sendo responsável por coordenar as operações de socorro e garantir a adequada prestação de cuidados de saúde extra-hospitalares em todo o território. Para o governante, “a aquisição destas 12 novas ambulâncias representa mais um passo na consolidação do seu papel como entidade fundamental para a proteção e bem-estar da população açoriana”. Alonso Miguel esclareceu que “este investimento se insere num plano mais vasto do Governo dos Açores, focado na melhoria contínua do Sistema de Proteção Civil Regional”. “Ao dotar a Proteção Civil de meios mais modernos e eficientes, o Governo assegura que a resposta às emergências se torna cada vez mais rápida, eficaz e acessível a todos os habitantes das ilhas”, vincou. A este investimento somam-se um conjunto de nove viaturas vermelhas, que incluem autotanques, prontos-socorros, Auto-Salvamentos, 19 Auto-comandos, nove ambulâncias de socorro, duas viaturas SIV e um reboque multivítimas, num investimento global previsto de 5,6 milhões de euros. O Secretário Regional apontou que “todos estes investimentos representam um esforço financeiro significativo e refletem, de forma inequívoca, o firme compromisso do Governo Regional dos Açores para com a melhoria das condições humanas e materiais dos corpos de bombeiros e com o reforço da capacidade de ação do Serviço Regional de Proteção Civil e Bombeiros dos Açores, em prol da proteção e salvaguarda das populações”.
November 10, 2025
TOURO25 drill boosts promptness and effectiveness of Civil Protection system in the Azores, says Alonso Miguel
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, highlighted the role of the TOURO25 drill in consolidating a more prepared, coordinated and resilient civil protection system, capable of ensuring an effective and integrated response in emergencies. "Without a solid and prepared system, we would be a vulnerable and helpless community in the most critical moments. The ability to respond promptly, coordinately and effectively is crucial to saving lives," he stressed. "Every exercise, every training session and every investment is an opportunity to learn, evolve and continuously improve," stated the government official. He emphasised that "TOURO25 is more than a drill, it is a commitment on the part of the Regional Government to an increasingly integrated civil protection system that is closer to the population." Organised by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), TOURO25 took place between November 6 and 8 on the island of Faial, bringing together 22 entities and around 150 operational staff, as well as extras and technicians. Over three days, in the face of adverse weather conditions, operational responses to complex scenarios were tested, including landslides, evacuations, multiple-victim accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials, putting the various Civil Protection agents to the test. For the first time, the drill combined thematic workshops followed by LIVEX exercises (movement of resources in the field), in a model that provided a more integrated approach between technical training and operational training. Alonso Miguel chaired the opening session of TOURO25 and was present at one of the various scenarios of the drill, accompanied by the President of SRPCBA, Rui Andrade, emphasising the importance of coordination between entities and the preparation of the agents involved. In this regard, he stressed that "continuous improvement is the key to excellence in civil protection, and it requires us to always be one step ahead, anticipating challenges and developing innovative solutions to protect the community. The Regional Secretary, who oversees Civil Protection, pointed out that, in addition to training, this is an area that requires qualified, motivated and properly supported human resources to carry out their missions. In this regard, he highlighted the ongoing investment made by the Regional Government, emphasising that more than €60 million has been invested in Civil Protection over the last five years. He added that the SRPCBA Investment Plan for 2026 amounts to €12.5 million, the second-highest amount ever, ensuring the continuity of a strategy to strengthen and modernise the system. Among the measures currently underway, Alonso Miguel highlighted "the acquisition of new vehicles and equipment and the increase in funding under the Financing Model for Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters, which will rise from €500,000 to €750,000, with a view to strengthening their operational activity. Furthermore, he mentioned an additional €350,000 in funding for Pre-Hospital Medical Emergencies, which will contribute to a further increase in firefighters' salaries, to be defined in the Working Conditions Ordinance." "Investing in civil protection is about investing in the quality of life of the Azoreans," he said. Alonso Miguel concluded by expressing his "sincere gratitude to all those involved’ for their commitment, from firefighters, security forces, armed forces, the Horta City Council, the National Maritime Authority, the Portuguese Red Cross, the Sociedade Açoreana de Armazenagem de Gás (SAAGA), government departments, entities with a duty to cooperate, and scientific institutions; all of whom have contributed to the success of this initiative.