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Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
TOURO25 drill boosts promptness and effectiveness of Civil Protection system in the Azores, says Alonso Miguel
TOURO25 drill boosts promptness and effectiveness of Civil Protection system in the Azores, says Alonso Miguel
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Government activates Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies following weather events in Água de Pau
Regional Government activates Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies following weather events in Água de Pau
November 10, 2025
TOURO25 drill boosts promptness and effectiveness of Civil Protection system in the Azores, says Alonso Miguel
October 31, 2025
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
October 29, 2025
Regional Government activates Legal and Financial Support Scheme for Climate Emergencies following weather events in Água de Pau
News
Nota de Imprensa
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.
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.
Nota de Imprensa
October 31, 2025
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), an entity under the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, will hold the TOURO25 drill on November 6 and 8 on the island of Faial. This year's edition will feature a new format. For the first time, TOURO25 will combine thematic workshops followed by LIVEX practical exercises (movement of resources in the field) and joint training actions, contributing to a more integrated approach between technical training and field operations. The new model is designed to include a more educational aspect in the drill. It will enable participants to consolidate their knowledge, learn procedures and acquire skills in emergencies, while testing the response and coordination capacity of various agents within the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. This year's edition will take place in a scenario of adverse weather conditions, with intense and prolonged rainfall on the island of Faial, resulting in landslides. This situation will involve the evacuation of areas, multiple-victim accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials. In addition to SRPCBA, around 20 entities are expected to participate: the Fire Brigades from the islands of São Jorge, Pico and Faial; the Horta City Council; the Regional Directorates for the Environment and Climate Action, Health and Public Works; the Institute for Social Security of the Azores; the National Maritime Authority; the Azores Operational Command; the Portuguese Red Cross; the National Republican Guard; the Public Security Police; and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. The drill also features speakers from the Portuguese National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, the Lisbon Fire Brigade, the Centre for Information and Seismovolcanic Surveillance of the Azores and the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory, who will conduct themed workshops. TOURO is the largest regional civil protection drill organised by the SRPCBA.
October 31, 2025
Civil Protection organises TOURO25 drill in Faial with new format
The Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), an entity under the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, will hold the TOURO25 drill on November 6 and 8 on the island of Faial. This year's edition will feature a new format. For the first time, TOURO25 will combine thematic workshops followed by LIVEX practical exercises (movement of resources in the field) and joint training actions, contributing to a more integrated approach between technical training and field operations. The new model is designed to include a more educational aspect in the drill. It will enable participants to consolidate their knowledge, learn procedures and acquire skills in emergencies, while testing the response and coordination capacity of various agents within the Civil Protection System of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. This year's edition will take place in a scenario of adverse weather conditions, with intense and prolonged rainfall on the island of Faial, resulting in landslides. This situation will involve the evacuation of areas, multiple-victim accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials. In addition to SRPCBA, around 20 entities are expected to participate: the Fire Brigades from the islands of São Jorge, Pico and Faial; the Horta City Council; the Regional Directorates for the Environment and Climate Action, Health and Public Works; the Institute for Social Security of the Azores; the National Maritime Authority; the Azores Operational Command; the Portuguese Red Cross; the National Republican Guard; the Public Security Police; and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. The drill also features speakers from the Portuguese National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, the Lisbon Fire Brigade, the Centre for Information and Seismovolcanic Surveillance of the Azores and the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory, who will conduct themed workshops. TOURO is the largest regional civil protection drill organised by the SRPCBA.