The Regional Secretary for Health and Civil Protection, Micaela Fonseca de Freitas, and the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Technology, Elsa Fernandes, presided over the delivery ceremony of the first 90 individual emergency kits. The initiative, promoted by the Regional Civil Protection Service, took place at the Padre Manuel Álvares Basic and Secondary School in Ribeira Brava, and marked the region's participation in the national public exercise ‘A Terra Treme’ and the World Tsunami Awareness Day.
Micaela Fonseca de Freitas emphasized the importance of consolidating health and safety literacy from the early years of schooling. She explained that these model kits exemplify the essential goods for responding to the first 72 hours after an emergency. The official highlighted the relevance of empowering the youngest, emphasizing the students' multiplier role in transmitting these good practices to families and in building a more resilient community in the face of risk situations.
Elsa Fernandes stated that the concern for emergency preparedness is gaining increasing relevance in the European context. She mentioned that, the previous day, the European Commission recommended that populations have emergency kits to ensure their autonomy for at least 72 hours. The secretary stressed that this decision proves that the Autonomous Region of Madeira is once again at the forefront of safety culture.
The program began at 11:05 AM with the execution of the three self-protection gestures in case of an earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This was followed by a presentation by the president of the SRPC, Richard Marques, and the formal handover of the equipment to the municipal security delegates.
The ceremony was attended by the president of the Municipal Chamber of Ribeira Brava, the president of the local Parish Council, the president of the School Executive Council, municipal civil protection services, security delegates, teachers, and students.
