SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE December 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –
On Tuesday, the Cabildo of Tenerife hosted a ceremony to honour 110 individuals from the Forest Brigades (Brifor), members of the Consortium for Prevention, Fire Extinction and Rescue of the Island of Tenerife, and Volunteer Firefighters who took part in the rescue operations and aid in the regions affected by the recent floods triggered by DANA in the Valencian Community.
The event was graced by the presence of the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila; the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; and the island director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín.
President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, stated that this is a day to express gratitude, recognition, and a sense of “pride” for the “extraordinary work” accomplished by the emergency teams in the Valencian Community.
“Today, December 3, precisely one month since the departure to Valencia of 110 professionals from Tenerife, led by the Cabildo, to join the Canarian emergency operation, will be remembered as an exemplary instance of coordination and excellence. Among them, 66 are from the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium, 40 belong to Brifor, and we also have 4 volunteer firefighters from Guía de Isora,” she pointed out.
She believed that “this team, organised by the Tenerife Cabildo, not only showcased the professionalism and dedication of our island, but also set a benchmark appreciated by other operatives. I am aware that on numerous occasions, other teams came to observe how you worked, how you coordinated your tasks, so they could apply that knowledge in other affected areas. Our unit was, without a doubt, a testament to efficiency and well-executed work.”
The Cabildo president underscored that establishing the Advanced Command Post was a “reference point” for all personnel working in Valencia and an “exemplar” of collaboration and organisation.
“They have told us that those were days of exhaustion and emotional strain, and I wish to tell them that not only are they exceptional professionals, but they also displayed remarkable humanity in a tragic and highly intricate situation. Thank you all immensely,” she emphasised.
Blanca Pérez also affirmed that she had “no doubt” that the firefighters and Brifor “are exceptionally equipped” and this has been validated as “the best in Spain.”
Furthermore, she expressed her concern for the personnel who responded to the emergency: “I told them that they were already heroes for stepping in to help, but they must all return safe and sound because we need to protect our people. They are not just great professionals, but genuinely wonderful individuals”.
BRIFOR AND TENERIFE FIRE CONSORTIUM
The chief officer of the Prevention, Fire Extinction, and Rescue Consortium of the Island of Tenerife and Volunteer Firefighters, Florencio López, conveyed his appreciation to all staff, both those who travelled to Valencia and those who remained in Tenerife supporting their colleagues.
“It was a source of pride to witness how the entire Canary Islands contingent operated with such coordination and organisation,” he observed.
López also remarked that “from the arduous experience in Valencia, which is not yet concluded, we must learn and leverage it because such phenomena will become increasingly frequent, and we need to deliver the best service possible to the people of Tenerife.”
Meanwhile, Jonás Hernández spoke on behalf of Brifor.
“We typically deal with forest fires, yet we have demonstrated our capability in emergencies,” he stated.
Hernández emphasised two key aspects of the work performed in Valencia: determination and professionalism. “We have a strong commitment to public service and have learned immensely. It has been a challenging experience, but also extremely rewarding,” he reflected, while reminding that “the Valencian community still requires assistance.”
The representative of the Forestry Brigades commended the professionalism exhibited throughout the operations, as well as “the camaraderie and support” from the Tenerife Firefighters and the rest of the Canarian team.
“We executed a coordinated effort, under a unified and well-structured command. We did so with the gravitas demanded by the tragedy, which at times was distressing, yet we consistently demonstrated commitment and professionalism. This experience will be etched in our memories,” he commented.
