The Security and Emergency Consortium of Lanzarote and La Graciosa approved, in the plenary session held this Wednesday, the budget for the year 2025, which amounts to 8,085,000 euros.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, valued this news as "very positive for the citizens of Lanzarote and La Graciosa." "Security is a fundamental axis in the welfare state of our islands, so we continue betting to improve and increase the technical and human resources to guarantee it at all times," he asserted.
The councilor and president of the Security and Emergency Consortium, Francisco J. Aparicio, thanked "all the agents involved for being able to carry out this budget." "They represent almost 20% more than the budget of the previous year, and I must value the Finance and Contracting area, which is directed by my colleague María Jesús Tovar, the Cabildo of Lanzarote and all the consortium entities for continuing to bet on the growth of this body," he added.
In fact, the income budget increases mainly due to the increase in the contribution of the Cabildo of Lanzarote by one million euros compared to the previous year; while the city councils increase their contribution by a total of 310,000 euros; while the Government of the Canary Islands contributes 494,468 euros; and the Port Authority increases 85,000 euros and UNESPA 397,674.96 euros.
Regarding the expenditure forecast, it should be noted that Chapter I is the one that varies the most, increasing from 3,364,422.08 euros in 2024 to 5,708,470.72 euros in 2025.
Likewise, it should be noted that in the year 2025 it is intended to carry out a major restructuring of the staff to adapt it to the current reality, in accordance with the "Study of the sizing and optimization of the staff" carried out by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. "19 new firefighter positions will be created and 4 vacant positions will be filled. A sub-officer position and a sergeant position will also be created, while various new positions will also be created for labor personnel," explained Francisco J. Aparicio.
On the other hand, Chapter II of current expenses amounts to 1,958,291.08 euros, while Chapter VI of investments amounts to 265,238.20 euros. It should be noted that this amount is complemented by the subsidies received from the Cabildo of Lanzarote and are also destined for investments such as the acquisition of vehicles, various materials, the heliport of La Graciosa, the future Fire Station of Tías or the new fire station of Arrecife, among others.
"The fundamental lines of the Budget for the year 2025 are based on continuing with the implementation of firefighter intervention posts in all the municipalities of the Island, increasing the staff and the provision of services to the entire population of the islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa," concluded Francisco J. Aparicio.