The Regional Secretary for Health opened the renewal and expansion works of São Roque do Pico Fire Station on Friday. The government official stressed that this "undertaking will improve the working conditions of firefighters so that may continue rendering an important service to the population."

Luís Cabral presided over the ceremony on behalf of the President of the Government. At the occasion, he stressed the Government's enthusiasm over the conclusion of a work; "not so much for the compliance with the stipulated activities plan," but for the satisfaction of knowing that these projects will "meet the needs of the population."

In his speech, the Regional Secretary for Health announced that "the Government has awarded priority status to the construction of the new fire stations in Horta and Povoação. According to the schedule of the Regional Public Works Charter, the Government will launch the respective public call for tenders by the first semester of next year.

The Government will also launch the public call for tenders for the expansion and renewal works of the Santa Cruz das Flores and Santa Maria fire stations in 2015 and of Lajes do Pico fire station in early 2016.

Luís Cabral stressed that this not a "needless or an expendable investment," adding that the recent history of the Azores "demonstrates the importance of fire brigades not only in firefighting, but also as an advanced intervention force in emergency situations or catastrophes."

Representing an investment of over half a million Euros, the works opened on Friday ensure better conditions for the vehicles owned by fire brigade of São Roque do Pico and improved comfort to firefighters. The renewed fire station also has a new space for administration and dispatch services and an operations room.

In his speech, the Regional Secretary recalled that unfortunately fire brigades in the Azores are often called to assist the populations "in important interventions to avoid further material damages and, above all, to save lives." The government official also emphasised that this work "is often rendered anonymously and with much personal effort," but, sometimes, "without due public recognition of the important role played by firefighters."

"In 2013, Azorean firefighters were called to assist 105 thousand interventions, mostly related to health, but also related to incidents, fires and drills; they covered a total over 1.6 million kilometres," said the Regional Secretary. He revealed that the Emergency Line (112) has received 26 thousand calls and the means of assistance were activated over 3,000 times.

 "Therefore, the recognition of the key role played by firefighters in the Azores is a fair tribute we should all pay to them - the Government and the civil society as well.