Second aerial firefighting asset enters operation in Madeira
Madeira GuidePSD/Madeira said the second aerial firefighting asset is funded by the State Budget and will remain in Madeira until 30 November.
PSD/Madeira said during a visit to the Regional Civil Protection Service that a second aerial asset for fighting forest fires has entered operation in the region. The party said it will remain in Madeira, at this stage, until 30 November.
Deputy SĂ©rgio Oliveira said the reinforcement increases the region's response capacity to protect populations, the forest and environmental heritage. He said the second asset is prepared to protect Madeirans, the forest and environmental heritage.
Oliveira said the light aerial asset can reach difficult-access areas and be at the operations theatre between five and 10 minutes after an alert. He said its speed and versatility improve Civil Protection's response to forest fires.
He added that having two aerial assets also improves search, rescue and mountain-rescue operations.
The parliamentary group said the demand dates to 2018. It said that, despite recommendations approved in the Assembly of the Republic and funds entered in State Budgets during socialist governments, the commitment had not previously been carried out.
Oliveira said the Regional Government secured the second asset through continuous negotiations with the Government of the Republic, with funding from the State Budget. PSD/Madeira said its next objective is to ensure the asset is available from the start of the Special Rural Firefighting Device next year.
Update — 2026-10-04
SĂ©rgio Oliveira said the second aerial asset arrived later this year. He added that PSD/Madeira wants to ensure that the region has both aerial assets for a longer period in future.
Sources
Madeira Guide
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