The president of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), José Apolinário, defended this weekend the importance of cohesion policy and regional programs, as well as cross-border cooperation between territorial entities and bodies.
This intervention took place at the inauguration of the Monchique Air Means Center, an investment of 2.1 million euros, 50 percent co-financed by European Funds within the scope of INTERREG – Spain-Portugal Program (POCTEP).
“The construction of the Monchique Municipal Air Resources and Civil Protection Center will allow the pre-positioning of human and material resources throughout the year, including a support building, a water tank with a capacity of 150 cubic meters and parking”, explains CCDR Algarve in a statement.
“The new heliport provides for the presence of rural firefighting aircraft with priority coverage in the Barlavento Algarvio and Baixo Alentejo, contributing to the reinforcement of the device at a regional level and simultaneously removing this operation from the center of the town of Monchique, with limited operating conditions . The new helipad will also allow the operation of medical emergency aircraft and operation at night,” he adds.
This new infrastructure is integrated into the set of equipment and investments foreseen in the , with an approximate value for the Algarve of €3.3 M and involving as partners the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), the Municipalities of Loulé, Monchique and Tavira, to in addition to the University of Évora and other entities in Andalusia.
In the actions carried out at , we highlight the creation of the “Iberian Center for Research and Combating Forest Fires”, located in Cádiz (Andalusia – Spain), the Municipal Center for Aerial Means and Civil Protection of Cachopo (Tavira) and the Municipal Center of Aerial Resources and Civil Protection in Monchique, the expansion of the Permanent Helicopter Base in Loulé and the promotion of training actions for Sappers and Aerodrome Brigade Operators, under the responsibility of AMAL.
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In the current programming period, the , which envisages carrying out coordinated work, on both sides of the Spain/Portugal border area (La Raya), was approved within the scope of POCTEP, aiming to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts that may be generated by forest fires. in the territory, and specifically on how to manage and act better in the Strategic Management Zones (ZEG), in Pilot Areas and involving as beneficiaries the CCDR Algarve, the National Emergency Authority (ANEPC) and Civil Protection and AMAL, in addition to the University of Évora and other Universities and Entities in Spain.
The plan envisages the reinforcement of preventive and strengthening measures for the Civil Protection System, involving all stakeholders, from fire departments, local authorities, competent authorities and including citizens, after all, the first civil protection agents.
Recognizing its determining role in the system, the Government plans to modernize ANEPC’s IT and information systems, considered fundamental for improving the planning, control, operability and interoperability of the civil protection system.
CCDR Algarve’s mission is to boost cross-border territorial cooperation, integrating the Euroregion Alentejo – Algarve – Andalusia (EUROAAA) with Alentejo and Andalusia.
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