The Regional Secretary for Health announced in Angra do Heroísmo the second edition of the Contest of Ideas of Civil Protection Clubs in Azorean Schools.
 
"This is an opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge about prevention in a creative and recreational manner, while promoting it in school and family contexts," said Rui Luís. The government official spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the Civil Protection Club of Tomás de Borba Basic Education and Secondary School, where the contest goals and rules were presented.
 
Promoted by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), this Contest of Ideas is directed to the 38 Civil Protection civil clubs of the archipelago's schools.
 
This initiative aims to raise the awareness of students and the educational community for the relevance of Civil Protection, identification of natural hazards, promotion of safety habits and development of appropriate skills and behaviours in emergency situations.
 
"Citizens are the basis of a cohesive and effective Civil Protection and, therefore, it is important to raise their awareness for risks and catastrophes as soon as possible," stressed the Regional Secretary.
 
Students and teachers can participate in Civil Protection clubs, which develop their activities in a 90-minute weekly session.
 
The contest projects are presented by club coordinators and should include the goals and activities they would like to see address in the 2019/2020 school year.
 
The Regional Secretary mentioned that students demonstrated a high degree of knowledge and interest in the first edition of this contest, which is expected to continue in this second edition.
 
"The importance of Civil Protection has been mainly promoted through Civil Protection courses in schools as well as through awareness-raising sessions on First Aid, Civil Protection Functions, Natural Risks and Self-Protection Measures," emphasised Rui Luís.
 
Along with the launch of the Contest of Ideas, presented to an audience of 60 young people, a lecture on First Aid was given to 9th, 10th and 11th form students at Tomás de Borba Basic Education and Secondary School.
 
Last year, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores carried out 106 training courses in the education sector, covering 5,600 participants.
 
In 2018, the distinguished projects were as follows: "Civil Protection in a Social Gathering" from Maia Basic Education School (1st place), "Promote Civic Behaviour - Avoid Panic" from Vila Franca do Campo Basic Education and Secondary School (2nd place) and "Promote Prevention" from Capelas Basic Education School (3rd place).
 
Registrations for the Contest of Ideas should be made until January 31 by sending the proposals to the email [email protected], which should also include the form available at the address https://www.prociv.azores.gov.pt/.
 
The winners will be announced on the SRPCBA communication channels on March 25 as part of the celebrations of the National Student Day.