The Regional Secretary for Health delivered today seven self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) and a nebuliser for the disinfection of ambulances operated by the Flores Fire Brigade. 

Teresa Machado Luciano stressed that this "Government's effort represents a global investment of 134 thousand Euros for the modernisation of the

The Regional Government acquired 100 SCBA apparatuses and 17 nebulisers, which are being distributed among the fire brigades of the archipelago, with the aim of "renewing and modernising the existing equipment and improving the safety of the intervention of professionals in the transport of patients," said the government official. 

The Regional Secretary stressed that the Regional Government has invested more than 299 thousand Euros in Flores volunteer fire brigade last year for the transport of patients, vehicle repair, improvement of facilities, and acquisition of uniforms and equipment. 

On Tuesday, as part of the Government's statutory visit, four SCBA apparatuses and a nebuliser were delivered to Corvo Voluntary Firefighters. 

The Regional Government's investment in Corvo Voluntary Firefighters exceeded 40 thousand Euros in 2019, with most of this amount being directed to the transport of patients, training of professionals, communications and purchase of fuel. 

The government official also highlighted the investment made in personal protective equipment for all health and civil protection professionals, a global amount of 9.3 million Euros, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have “guaranteed the safety of the 900 regional firefighters as well as of the patients transported by them." 

Teresa Machado Luciano also pointed out that all ambulances were equipped with biological intervention kits, the payment of a special work accident insurance with COVID-19 coverage and the provision of accommodation for quarantined firefighters. 

Self-contained breathing apparatuses are autonomous breathing equipment that allows the intervention of firefighters in environments with contaminated atmospheres or with a deficient concentration of oxygen, protecting the operator's airways and face, while nebulisers are a piece of equipment for disinfection and decontamination of ambulance surfaces.