The Funchal Fire Company will assume responsibility for operating the specialized regional capacity for Search and Rescue in Collapsed Structures (BREC). This initiative is supported by the first alarm teams from various Fire Departments across Madeira and Porto Santo.
The designation follows practical training in the Azores, involving 18 firefighters from Madeira. The strategic goal is to establish a robust regional capacity for responding to structural collapses, adhering to international INSARAG doctrine.
Training, ongoing until October 29th on Terceira Island, complements theoretical components already completed in Madeira. The project includes specialized training, team organization, procedural definition, and equipment acquisition for a structured, safe, and interoperable response.
Richard Marques, president of the Regional Civil Protection Service (SRPC), emphasized the value of the partnership with the Azores in accelerating operational capability development, enhancing autonomy and joint preparedness for the challenges of island living.
