Teresa Machado Luciano highlights increased responsibility of Ponta Delgada Fire Department in providing assistance to the population
The Regional Secretary for Health pointed out that the Ponta Delgada Fire Department responded to 25 percent of the occurrences recorded throughout the archipelago last year. In this regard, she highlighted the mission and increased responsibility of brigade for providing relief to the most densely populated Azorean municipality, besides being responsible for assisting the municipality of Lagoa.
Teresa Machado Luciano spoke Monday during the 140th anniversary celebrations of the Ponta Delgada Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters, a fire department that responded to about 9,100 of the 35,720 occurrences registered throughout the Region in 2018.
The government official stressed that the Ponta Delgada Fire Department has deserved the “greater attention” on the part of the Regional Government regarding the investment that has been made.
“During 2018, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service acquired and delivered three ambulances to the Ponta Delgada fire brigade in order to improve the land-based emergency medical transport system, thus ensuring prompt and proper care to the victims of accidents or acute disease.
In her speech, Teresa Machado Luciano stated that the Regional Government is “aware of the long road that still lies ahead” and “much remains to be done.” However, she noted that all the work being done and “the solutions implemented to overcome the constant challenges of this sector are essential to continue on the right track as well as to guarantee the autonomy of the Azores.”
“This is a path we want to continue following. Our main goal is to continue supporting regional fire brigades in the modernisation of equipment and vehicles, giving them proper conditions and tools to further enhance the quality of assistance," added the government official.
The Regional Secretary also highlighted the participation of Ponta Delgada Firefighters in 29 training sessions, covering a total of 230 trainees.
The Ponta Delgada Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters is the second oldest in the Region. Currently, there are 132 firefighters.