The Government of Tocantins, through the Tocantins Military Fire Department (CBMTO), is on standby to help rescue victims of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, caused by heavy rains that have hit dozens of cities in Rio Grande do Sul for days. Governor Wanderlei Barbosa made the teams available to the Rio Grande do Sul government in the early hours of this Thursday, May 2nd.
“In solidarity with the people of Rio Grande do Sul, the Government of Tocantins is providing the assistance of our brave firefighters to help with rescue operations and assistance to victims of the storm that is ravaging the state of Rio Grande do Sul. We will overcome this adversity together”, declares the governor Wanderlei Barbosa.
Tocantins aid
Due to the state of public calamity declared in Rio Grande do Sul, the Military Fire Department (CBMTO) is providing the Search, Rescue and Rescue with Dogs Section (SBRESC), linked to the Independent Search and Rescue Company (Cibs), which currently contains four search binomials (Military Firefighter+Dog). If called, the company will provide two Binomials and two divers to help with the search. In addition, the Tocantins Fire Department will provide a Lieutenant as Liaison Officer for coordination and communication of the mission in the southern state, if requested.
The commander of the Independent Search and Rescue Company of the Fire Department, Lieutenant Colonel Donaldo Lourinho de Oliveira, informs that through the entire situation, the Tocantins Fire Department is able to help the state of Rio Grande do Sul, reinforcing the spirit of solidarity and cooperation between firefighters, highlighting the importance of preparation and rapid response in emergency situations. “The Independent Search and Rescue Company is the Specialized Unit of the Tocantins Military Fire Department that brings together specialists in the areas of diving, water rescue, ground search, search with dogs and rescue at heights. We at the Company are on alert to respond to any call from our comrades, brothers, firefighters in Rio Grande do Sul. We are monitoring the entire situation that is happening in the south, preparing our people for possible mobilization and support”, he highlights. Lieutenant Colonel Donaldo.
SBRESC
The Search, Rescue and Rescue with Dogs Section (SBRESC), part of the Independent Search and Rescue Company (Cibs) of the Tocantins Military Fire Department, plays a fundamental role in the rescue operation in emergency situations. With its highly trained team and dogs specially prepared for search and rescue missions, SBRESC works in a variety of situations, from natural disasters to searches for missing people.
“It is worth highlighting that our unit has professionals who already have practical experience in this type of incident. Our professionals have already been mobilized for disaster situations in other states, so we already have this expertise and we are all motivated and ready to act if necessary. We sympathize with our brothers from Rio Grande do Sul and make ourselves available”, concludes Lieutenant Colonel Donaldo.
State of Public Calamity
In recent days, the amount of rain that flooded Rio Grande do Sul tripled the usual average for this season, according to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet). The downpours have already resulted in 11 fatalities and left 21 people missing, according to the most recent data provided by Civil Defense and the Civil Police. After the incident, there was a general effort to help with the search, where Tocantins is ready for employment should the need arise.
On the night of last Wednesday, May 1st, Rio Grande do Sul declared a state of public calamity. The decree highlights significant human and material damage caused by flooding, hail, floods, among others, classified as level III disasters. Signed by the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, the decree determines support for areas affected by the state public administration, in cooperation with the State Coordination of Protection and Civil Defense, and allows similar requests by municipalities, subject to evaluation and approval by the State . It will be in force for 180 days, using the Brazilian Coding and Classification of Disasters (Cobrade) to identify the event as code 1.3.2.1.4 (intense rains within storms).
