The Air Force participated in two editions of the Hazardous Substances Technician Course, held in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, reinforcing institutional cooperation and the capacity to respond to complex emergencies.

At the invitation of the Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service, Sergeant Miguel Moita, from the Air Force Inspectorate General, joined the teaching staff for both training courses. His participation as a trainer highlights the external recognition of the high technical competence of military personnel specialising in Assistance and Rescue Systems Operators.

In the second edition of the course, the Air Force's representation was expanded with the participation of First Sergeant Pedro Ferreira, from Air Base No. 1 in Sintra, as a trainee, thus consolidating and updating knowledge crucial to the mission.

These actions aimed to train the regional structure with teams specialised in responding to accidents involving hazardous substances and also included the participation of members of the Santa Cruz Fire Brigade, the Machico Municipal Fire Brigade, the Public Security Police, the Special Police Unit and the Explosives Inactivation and Underground Safety Centre.

In the Air Force, the response to incidents of this type is the responsibility of the Assistance and Rescue Services, and this collaboration is a testament to the preparation and readiness of its military personnel in such a technical and demanding area of protection and rescue.