Army personnel will now patrol forest areas to detect fire occurrences and identify risk situations, including the possible presence of ‘suspect individuals.
This measure is part of a technical collaboration protocol signed between the Regional Government, through the Regional Civil Protection Service (SRPC, IP-RAM), and the Garrison Regiment No. 3 (RG3), to intensify surveillance and prevention of forest fires in the Region.
The President of the SRPC, IP-RAM, Richard Marques, and the commander of the RG3, Infantry Colonel, Musa Gonçalves Paulino, formalised the agreement at the headquarters of the Regional Secretariat for Health and Civil Protection.
On the occasion, the Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Fonseca de Freitas, expressed her satisfaction and gratitude, highlighting the partnership with the Armed Forces as fundamental.
The Commander of the Military Zone of Madeira, Brigadier General Jorge Pedro, underlined that this collaboration is a privilege and a complement to the Army’s mission, giving the military the opportunity to practice various skills and creating a win-win situation for both parties.
According to a press statement, under this protocol, the RG3 will provide a vehicle and two military personnel daily for surveillance operations between July and September (from October to November, support will be conditional on risk assessment and availability), who will coordinate actions and capabilities within the scope of the Regional Command for Relief Operations and will inform the responsible entities of any occurrence. In turn, the SRPC, IP-RAM, will provide the necessary material means, pay the travel costs, and ensure the subsistence and food allowances for the committed soldiers.
This agreement, which takes place for the first time in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, reinforces the response capacity in the prevention and fighting of forest fires.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
