Firefighting and Rescue Service members of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria celebrated their patron saint’s day yesterday with a ceremony where they awarded distinctions to the corps members who extinguished the flames in a Mercalaspalmas warehouse and those who travelled to Tenerife to assist in extinguishing the fire that devastated the island last summer.
The Firefighting and Rescue Service (SEIS) of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria celebrated yesterday the day of San Juan de Dios, the firefighters’ patron saint, with an institutional event at Castillo de La Luz where the work of the corps professionals was recognised, along with the collaboration provided by other entities. Among the distinguished individuals this year are the corps members who participated in the extinguishing of the fire in a Mercalaspalmas warehouse and those who joined in extinguishing the flames that ravaged the Tenerife mountains last summer.
The mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carolina Darias, presided over the honors and distinctions ceremony alongside Councilor for Security and Emergencies, Josué Íñiguez; the General Director of Security and Emergencies, Rosa Rodríguez; and the SEIS Coordinator, Sebastián Naranjo, as well as other members of the Government group and municipal corporation.
During the event, two Gold Medals of Merit were presented, along with 38 honorary mentions to SEIS members who participated in the Mercalaspalmas fire and volunteered for the forest fire that occurred last August in Tenerife; and five other recognitions to members of the Civil Protection Volunteers Group of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Promotion of Public Interest
Darias highlighted during the institutional event the values of the group of individuals who make up the firefighting corps, such as impartiality, legality, promotion of public interest, equality, and professional qualifications which, she stated, “are inherent to public service”. “To these values,” she added, “we should add those of those who take on responsibilities in defending the safety and protection of citizens, such as hierarchy, authority, and risking their own lives for the greater good.”
During the event, two Gold Medals of Merit were awarded, as well as 38 honourable mentions / La Provincia
«These and other closely related values are often grouped under one idea: the spirit of service that today receives our recognition represents in a very special way an example to follow for colleagues, but also for the entire citizenry,” because, she emphasised, “in a society where self-interest often prevails, firefighters and local police officers undertake missions and tasks dedicated to collective well-being.”
Collaboration among Corps
In her speech, the capital’s mayor also had words for the commemorated individuals “contributing to ensuring that anyone can feel safe and protected in any emergency situation”. She placed special emphasis on the Gold Medal of Merit awarded to the Local Police of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, “a medal that recognises the close collaboration between both corps and is a source of pride and assurance for those of us living in this city.”
Darias also highlighted the improvements that the SEIS has received over the past year, a corps that averages 180 interventions per month, totalling 2,200 annually.
In this regard, the service has been provided with new technical resources and equipment worth 350,000 Euros and respiratory protection equipment worth another 500,000 Euros. Furthermore, Darias highlighted the recruitment over the past year of three sergeants and seven corporals who, for the first time, received training courses with speakers from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and certificates issued by the General Directorate of Public Safety Studies, Training, and Research. “Our purpose is for this city to have the most well-prepared individuals and the best resources to successfully face and overcome all tasks and functions entrusted to them,” she pointed out.
