The Regional Secretary for Health stated in Povoação that the investment in training and awareness-raising actions for local authorities falls within the consolidation of a safe civil protection system of excellence.
 
"Considering the proximity to citizens and knowledge on the ground, local authorities play a key role when it comes to building bridges with communities in the area of civil protection," said the government official.
 
Rui Luís spoke on the sidelines of two training courses for civil protection agents on "Civil Protection and Local Power" and "Emergency Planning and Management" acknowledging that local authorities are key partners of Regional Civil Protection.
 
The Regional Secretary emphasised that the investment in training by the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA) has contributed to "the successful consolidation of civil protection in the Azorean community."
 
The initiative intends to provide participants with theoretical and practical knowledge that will allow them to better prepare Emergency Plans in planning processes as well as to interpret and apply the Technical Criteria and Rules for the Development of Civil Protection Emergency Plans. Moreover, they will also acquire skills within the municipal scope of Civil Protection Emergency Management.
 
This specific training, aimed at municipal civil protection agents, has already been carried out in five municipalities, covering 200 participants. It is expected to reach all islands and involve a total of 900 participants.
 
In the first nine months of this year, the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service conducted 340 training courses and awareness-raising actions directed to 15 thousand participants.