Paulo Simões Ribeiro, the Assistant Secretary of State for Internal Administration, said this morning that Madeira will get a second aerial firefighting asset in July. He explained that the issue has been “complex and has been dragging on for a long time,” but added that the process is now close to completion. The protocol between the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection and the Air Force is expected to be signed this week, which will allow the tender process for the aircraft to move forward. He said the region’s second aerial asset is expected to arrive during July and has been long requested by the Regional Government. The same announcement included a reinforcement of 30 new Public Security Police (PSP) agents for Madeira Airport, who are due to arrive by the end of July. According to Paulo Simões Ribeiro, a significant number of these officers will begin internships next week. He said the deployment is part of a wider group of 360 agents who recently finished training and are mainly intended for airport duties and the Unit for Foreigners and Borders. He also described Madeira Airport as “one of the best airports at a national level in terms of passenger throughput,” crediting the current PSP teams for their work.
