Regional Government opens new training tower and reinforces commitment to firefighters’ training - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, opened on Tuesday, October 13, the new training tower at the Training Centre of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) in Angra do Heroísmo, representing an investment of around €72,000 to strengthen the technical and operational readiness of regional firefighters.

The opening took place on International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the United Nations to promote prevention, readiness and the reduction of community vulnerabilities.

On the occasion, Alonso Miguel highlighted the significance of this day, emphasising that, in a Region particularly exposed to extreme natural phenomena, prevention and readiness are fundamental civil protection pillars.

“This year, under the slogan 'Resilience starts at home,' we are reminded that safety begins with every one of us and is built up day by day – a message that is particularly relevant for the Azores,” he said.

The government official pointed out that “the Azores, due to their geographical location and condition as an archipelago, as well as their hydrological, geological and geomorphological characteristics, are a territory particularly exposed to various natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and extreme weather events. These are exacerbated by climate change effects, which cause substantial material and financial damage and, above all, jeopardise the safety of our communities.”

“We cannot prevent an earthquake, a volcanic eruption or an extreme weather event from occurring, but we can and must reduce their consequences through knowledge, prevention and planning, so that, when an emergency strikes, we are prepared to respond effectively and safely,” he said.

The new facility will enable firefighters to develop skills, refine procedures and practise demanding rescue operations while improving coordination between teams by simulating, in a controlled environment,  real-life scenarios involving high-risk situations.

According to the Regional Secretary, who is responsible for Civil Protection in the Azores, “this highly useful and versatile facility will provide training in firefighting techniques at height, carrying out rescue and recovery exercises – particularly in steep-angle environments – as well as operations in conditions of very low or virtually zero visibility.”

For the government official, this initiative embodies a fundamental principle: “Train safely so that we can rescue safely,” emphasising that the protection of those whose mission is to rescue others must be an ongoing priority.

Alonso Miguel considered this opening part of the efforts to modernise the Regional Civil Protection System, with the Regional Government investing around €60 million over the last five years. This has led to the renewal of the fire services’ operational resources, the purchase of firefighting vehicles, emergency ambulances, command vehicles and specialised equipment, as well as the improvement of pre-hospital care.

The Regional Secretary emphasised that “this investment has been matched by a consistent commitment to staff training, with annual investment in training over recent years averaging 37% higher than the figure set out in the 2020 budget.”

Among the progress made, Alonso Miguel highlighted the revision of rescue and extrication procedures, with the introduction of new methodologies and the creation of specific courses for team leaders, as well as the refinement of specialisation in search and rescue operations in collapsed structures, which included the secondment of trainers to Chile for advanced training.

“Another priority has been the training of senior fire service personnel, reviving a practice that had long been abandoned in the Region and considered essential for strengthening leadership, coordination and operational decision-making skills,” he added.

The government official also highlighted the growing influence of the SRPCBA Training Centre beyond the archipelago, emphasising the existing collaboration in training instructors from the Autonomous Region of Madeira and the forthcoming delivery of training courses at this Centre for operational staff from that Region.

“It is a recognition of the quality of the work carried out and the technical expertise we have been building up,” Alonso Miguel stated, noting that this cooperation demonstrates the progress made in  training Azorean firefighters.

Alonso Miguel added that “this new training tower will strengthen the SRPCBA Training Centre, which we are striving to make increasingly well-equipped, capable of keeping pace with developments in rescue techniques and meeting the operational demands of our firefighters.”

The Regional Secretary concluded by reiterating the Regional Government’s commitment to modernising the emergency response system and valuing its operational staff, whilst expressing his appreciation to regional firefighters for their professionalism, dedication and sense of mission.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the noblest mission of all – that of saving lives – is supported by the resources, training and safety conditions it deserves,” he assured.