Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, through the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), organised a Training Course for Instructors of Junior and Cadet Fire School (EIC) in partnership with the National Fire Service School (ENB), which is being held for the first time in the Azores.

The training took place between 9 and 11 at the headquarters of the Ribeira Grande Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters on the island of São Miguel. It was conducted by ENB instructors and attended by 17 trainees, including a member of SRPCBA and members of various regional fire departments.

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, who is responsible for Civil Protection in the Azores, Alonso Miguel, observed the proceedings this Friday, stating that “the course is intended to strengthen the educational, technical and civic skills of those responsible for supervising the children and young people attending these schools.”

The government official emphasised that this training programme “marks an important milestone in the consolidation of Junior and Cadet Fire Schools in the Azores, boosting the fire services’ ability to carry out structured, safe and educationally appropriate work with younger generations.”

During the visit, Alonso Miguel, who was accompanied by the President of SRPCBA, Rui Andrade, emphasised that this training represents “another significant contribution to the strategy for consolidating and expanding Junior and Cadet Fire Schools, at a time when the project is experiencing a strong growth.”

“In 2023, there were seven active Junior and Cadet Schools and 167 children and young people enrolled. Currently, the Region has 11 active schools and 304 participants. This means that there has been a very significant increase in less than three years – over 57% in the number of schools and 82% in the number of enrolments,” he said.

For the Regional Secretary, this development demonstrates that “the Azorean Government’s commitment to Junior and Cadet Schools is yielding tangible results, bringing children and young people closer to the fire service, civil protection and volunteering.”

Alonso Miguel pointed out that the Regional Government had approved the Regulations on Support for the Establishment and Promotion of Junior and Cadet Fire Schools, “a pioneering and innovative instrument at a national level.” It provides, amongst other measures, for an annual allocation of €40 per Junior or Cadet, intended to cover the cost of uniforms, and an annual grant of €300 per school to support the implementation of its activities programme.

“This support measure has created better conditions for the opening, operation and development of these schools. We intend to continue consolidating and expanding this project, ensuring greater participation, better training and an ever-stronger link between fire services and the communities they serve,” he said.

According to the government official, “the support for these schools has been achieved in close collaboration with the Azores Fire Federation and regional humanitarian associations of volunteer firefighters, as part of a joint effort aimed at consolidating, revitalising and expanding the project throughout the Region.”

The Regional Secretary added that “the Junior and Cadet Fire Schools play a key role in promoting the values of citizenship, civil protection and community service. They are strategic in bringing children and young people closer to the fire service and in contributing to the future renewal and sustainability of this activity.”

“Investing in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools is investing in the future of firefighters and the future of the regional civil protection system, as well as in the dissemination of values such as discipline, responsibility, team spirit, solidarity and a desire to serve,” he emphasised.

Junior and Cadet Fire Schools are aimed at two age groups: juniors, aged between 6 and 13, whose training focuses on civic values, first aid and the basics of civil protection; and cadets, aged between 14 and 16, who are taught more advanced content, including subjects related to firefighting, rescue and other operational activities. 

There are currently 11 Junior and Cadet Fire Schools in the Azores, namely within the fire departments of Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo, Povoação, Nordeste, Praia da Vitória, Calheta, São Roque do Pico, Faial and Santa Cruz das Flores.

Alonso Miguel also thanked the National Fire Service School “for the willingness shown in providing this training, the SRPCBA for its initiative and commitment to driving the project forward, and trainees for their participation in the course and, above all, for the work carried out in operating the Junior and Cadet Fire Schools across the Region.”

The government official concluded by calling on families “to encourage children and young people to learn about and join the Junior and Cadet Schools,” pointing out that “civil protection is also built through education, close ties and the involvement of younger generations.”