Every year on August 22 the National Firefighter Day is celebrated, and within the framework of this celebration, officers of the State Civil Protection Unit and State Firefighters are recognized.
The Unidad Estatal de Protección Civil y Bomberos del Estado (UEPCB,) is headed by the Director General of the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Jalisco, Víctor Hugo Roldan Guerrero, and together with the Operational Director Osvaldo Martínez Zavala, made a virtual commemoration of more than 300 operational elements deployed in the eight regional commands through a videoconference.
Víctor Guerrero pointed out during his message that the present administration has focused on improving the working conditions not only of operational but also administrative personnel, with the improvement of facilities, and maintenance of equipment, to streamline work in the area of comprehensive risk management. Such is the case of the renewal of the Tsunami and Cyclone Warning System, and the delivery of land and sea vehicles as well as personal protection equipment for the different commands that make up the state unit.
He emphasized that, day-by-day, they work to seek and increase the culture of civil protection, "because only in this way will we have a more and better prepared society, which will know how to respond to an emergency."
After asking for a minute of silence to honor the officers who have fallen in the line of duty, Osvaldo Martínez Zavala recognized the work and effort of each and every one of the officers throughout this year. He stressed that above all, the work that they do is in support of the civil population, not only of Jalisco but of the entire republic, especially mentioning the support that was given to the state of Colima, where in October In 2020, a group of officers worked to rescue a man who was semi-buried after a large rock trapped him by his lower extremities.
He also highlighted the support that was provided in the state of Tabasco in November 2020 where about 40 officers went there after suffering severe floods. He then took the opportunity to thank and acknowledge the work that all the elements carried out during the past forest fire season, and the immediate availability that officers have to respond to any emergency situation.
We appreciate our firefighters who show courage and solidarity, working day and night to take care of each and every citizen, and today as every day we appreciate and thank them for their vocation and support in situations of risk.