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Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region
Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
TOURO26 drill strengthens Azores’ capacity to respond to seismic crises
TOURO26 drill strengthens Azores’ capacity to respond to seismic crises
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Civil Protection conducts TOURO drill in São Miguel to test response capacity in seismic-volcanic scenario
Civil Protection conducts TOURO drill in São Miguel to test response capacity in seismic-volcanic scenario
July 13, 2026
Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region
June 1, 2026
TOURO26 drill strengthens Azores’ capacity to respond to seismic crises
May 20, 2026
Civil Protection conducts TOURO drill in São Miguel to test response capacity in seismic-volcanic scenario
News
Nota de Imprensa
July 13, 2026
Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region
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.”
July 13, 2026
Regional Government boosts investment in Junior and Cadet Fire Schools with an unprecedented training programme for instructors in the Region
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.”
Nota de Imprensa
June 1, 2026
TOURO26 drill strengthens Azores’ capacity to respond to seismic crises
Between May 28 and 30, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service organised the TOURO26 drill on the island of São Miguel, the largest civil protection drill held annually in the Azores. The initiative took place in the municipalities of Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo and Povoação, involving 26 organisations and about 250 participants, including operational staff, technicians, extras and other support personnel, in a major effort to coordinate, train and liaise between the various agencies and bodies involved in the regional civil protection system. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, who is responsible for Civil Protection in the Azores, attended the "warm-up" session. On the occasion, he highlighted the “importance of TOURO26 in strengthening the readiness, coordination and operational response capacity of the Azores Regional Civil Protection System in the face of emergency and disaster situations.” According to Alonso Miguel, “Civil Protection is now, more than ever, an absolutely decisive factor for the safety and well-being of the population.” He continued: “Without a solid, coordinated and effective system, we would be a highly vulnerable community at the most critical moments.” “TOURO26 is much more than just a drill. It is a demonstration of the capabilities available in the Region and the Azorean Government’s ongoing commitment to protecting the Azorean population,” he added. During the drill, the Region’s response capacity was tested in the face of a seismic crisis scenario, with multiple simultaneous incidents in different municipalities, putting to the test the coordination mechanisms, emergency plans and operational coordination between all participating agencies and entities. Alonso Miguel made an extremely positive assessment of TOURO26, emphasising that “the goals initially set were fully achieved. Across the various scenarios, it was possible to test the Regional Civil Protection System’s core capabilities for responding to complex emergencies and disasters, particularly in the context of a major seismic crisis.” According to the Regional Secretary, “the results achieved have shown that the Region has a civil protection system that is prepared, resilient and capable of effectively responding to high levels of operational demand, at both municipal and regional levels.” According to the Regional Secretary, holding drills regularly is key to enhancing the effectiveness of the regional civil protection system, enabling the identification of areas for improvement, fine-tuning procedures, strengthening interoperability between agencies, and building trust amongst all stakeholders. “The more and the better we train, the better prepared we will be to respond when reality puts us to the test. It is through preparation that confidence is built, and it is confidence that enables us to save lives,” he emphasised. Alonso Miguel also pointed out that “the quality of the operational response depends not only on training, but also on the availability of adequate resources and qualified and motivated staff.” In this context, he recalled that the Regional Government has invested around €60 million in civil protection over the last five years, representing the largest investment ever made in this sector in the Region. “Among the main measures implemented are the promotion of firefighters’ careers, a focus on the training and qualification of operational staff, the acquisition of more than fifty emergency and rescue vehicles, representing an investment of nearly €8 million, the improvement of the Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency System, and the creation of the Funding Model for Voluntary Firefighters’ Humanitarian Associations,” he noted. The government official also highlighted the creation of an innovative support mechanism for the Azorean Fire Service’s Junior and Cadet Schools, “a pioneering measure in the country that is already yielding very positive results, reflected in a 54% increase in the number of schools in operation and an 82% rise in the number of young people enrolled in these programmes. This initiative has made a decisive contribution to generational renewal, the promotion of volunteering and the future sustainability of the regional fire services.” Alonso Miguel also highlighted the progress achieved through the implementation of new management and operational coordination tools, namely the Operations Management System and the new model for dispatching resources and operational capabilities of fire services. “All these investments demonstrate the Azorean Government’s strong commitment to the safety, protection and well-being of the Azorean population, boosting the Region’s capacity to increasingly tackle demanding and complex risks,” he said. The Regional Secretary concluded by expressing his gratitude to all those who participated in TOURO26, namely the fire service, law enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces, the National Maritime Authority, healthcare professionals, the Portuguese Red Cross, local authorities, government departments, entities with a duty to cooperate, and scientific institutions. “It is due to everyone’s dedication and professionalism that we continue to build a regional civil protection system that is increasingly well-prepared, resilient and capable of protecting our communities,” he concluded.
June 1, 2026
TOURO26 drill strengthens Azores’ capacity to respond to seismic crises
Between May 28 and 30, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service organised the TOURO26 drill on the island of São Miguel, the largest civil protection drill held annually in the Azores. The initiative took place in the municipalities of Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo and Povoação, involving 26 organisations and about 250 participants, including operational staff, technicians, extras and other support personnel, in a major effort to coordinate, train and liaise between the various agencies and bodies involved in the regional civil protection system. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, who is responsible for Civil Protection in the Azores, attended the "warm-up" session. On the occasion, he highlighted the “importance of TOURO26 in strengthening the readiness, coordination and operational response capacity of the Azores Regional Civil Protection System in the face of emergency and disaster situations.” According to Alonso Miguel, “Civil Protection is now, more than ever, an absolutely decisive factor for the safety and well-being of the population.” He continued: “Without a solid, coordinated and effective system, we would be a highly vulnerable community at the most critical moments.” “TOURO26 is much more than just a drill. It is a demonstration of the capabilities available in the Region and the Azorean Government’s ongoing commitment to protecting the Azorean population,” he added. During the drill, the Region’s response capacity was tested in the face of a seismic crisis scenario, with multiple simultaneous incidents in different municipalities, putting to the test the coordination mechanisms, emergency plans and operational coordination between all participating agencies and entities. Alonso Miguel made an extremely positive assessment of TOURO26, emphasising that “the goals initially set were fully achieved. Across the various scenarios, it was possible to test the Regional Civil Protection System’s core capabilities for responding to complex emergencies and disasters, particularly in the context of a major seismic crisis.” According to the Regional Secretary, “the results achieved have shown that the Region has a civil protection system that is prepared, resilient and capable of effectively responding to high levels of operational demand, at both municipal and regional levels.” According to the Regional Secretary, holding drills regularly is key to enhancing the effectiveness of the regional civil protection system, enabling the identification of areas for improvement, fine-tuning procedures, strengthening interoperability between agencies, and building trust amongst all stakeholders. “The more and the better we train, the better prepared we will be to respond when reality puts us to the test. It is through preparation that confidence is built, and it is confidence that enables us to save lives,” he emphasised. Alonso Miguel also pointed out that “the quality of the operational response depends not only on training, but also on the availability of adequate resources and qualified and motivated staff.” In this context, he recalled that the Regional Government has invested around €60 million in civil protection over the last five years, representing the largest investment ever made in this sector in the Region. “Among the main measures implemented are the promotion of firefighters’ careers, a focus on the training and qualification of operational staff, the acquisition of more than fifty emergency and rescue vehicles, representing an investment of nearly €8 million, the improvement of the Pre-Hospital Medical Emergency System, and the creation of the Funding Model for Voluntary Firefighters’ Humanitarian Associations,” he noted. The government official also highlighted the creation of an innovative support mechanism for the Azorean Fire Service’s Junior and Cadet Schools, “a pioneering measure in the country that is already yielding very positive results, reflected in a 54% increase in the number of schools in operation and an 82% rise in the number of young people enrolled in these programmes. This initiative has made a decisive contribution to generational renewal, the promotion of volunteering and the future sustainability of the regional fire services.” Alonso Miguel also highlighted the progress achieved through the implementation of new management and operational coordination tools, namely the Operations Management System and the new model for dispatching resources and operational capabilities of fire services. “All these investments demonstrate the Azorean Government’s strong commitment to the safety, protection and well-being of the Azorean population, boosting the Region’s capacity to increasingly tackle demanding and complex risks,” he said. The Regional Secretary concluded by expressing his gratitude to all those who participated in TOURO26, namely the fire service, law enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces, the National Maritime Authority, healthcare professionals, the Portuguese Red Cross, local authorities, government departments, entities with a duty to cooperate, and scientific institutions. “It is due to everyone’s dedication and professionalism that we continue to build a regional civil protection system that is increasingly well-prepared, resilient and capable of protecting our communities,” he concluded.