The Regional Secretary for Health revealed on São Jorge the new regulation on training courses for volunteer firefighters in the access to specialised training.
 
Rui Luís spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of an initial training session for volunteer firefighters from Calheta Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters. According to him, this is a regulatory document that improves the reorganisation and operation of the training offered to regional fire brigades.
 
"This is a crucial tool for defining the rules and type of training within the voluntary firefighter career, as far as it will certainly have repercussions on the acquisition of knowledge and the effectiveness of the fire brigade's mission," stressed the government official.
 
The regulation establishes the type of training for firefighters in senior positions and the members of fire brigades belonging to humanitarian associations of volunteer firefighters.
 
The training acquired in the courses and modules carried out by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) is required for appointment to senior positions, the access to fire officer, professional firefighter and specialist firefighter careers.
 
Regarding the amendments introduced, Rui Luís pointed out some advantages, namely a more attractive training process, the provision of knowledge according to the category and operational responsibility of the volunteer firefighter, and specialised training adapted to complex situations.
 
"Bearing in mind the specific conditions for the recruitment of new volunteers, it was intended to maintain the capacity of response and evolution in the development of the firefighters' training. They will have the opportunity to evolve in terms of their response capacity to focus on the fulfilment of relief missions," stressed the government official.
 
The document took into account the needs identified by the commanders of humanitarian associations of volunteer firefighters, being approved by the Regional Fire Council.
 
"It was extremely important to hear on the experience acquired by fire brigades for the implementation of the training process, taking into consideration the social reality they face and the geographical dispersion of our Region,” said Rui Luís.
 
This new regulation also provides for the collaboration of external entities with expertise in specific technical areas to complement the training offer.
 
External training may be requested by the SRPCBA to the Lisbon Fire Brigade Regiment School, the National Fire Service School or to the National Institute of Medical Emergency.
 
At the beginning of the initial training session for volunteer firefighters from Calheta Humanitarian Association, Rui Luís reiterated the reinforcement of civil protection training in 2019.
 
"We will have an increase in the number of training courses aimed at fire brigades, with a total of planned 125 training courses. For the first time, we will introduce new training for search and rescue teams in collapsed buildings," added the government official.
 
In 2018, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fore Service carried out a total of 114 training courses, covering more than 1,100 trainees.