Blanca Fernández, the delegate of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha in Ciudad Real, attended the Imás TV Awards Gala held in Moral de Calatrava, where she congratulated Julián Camacho and the entire team at Imás TV for their 24 years of service in bringing local news to the province's diverse municipalities.
During her address, Fernández highlighted the gala as an opportunity to recognise individuals, groups, and organisations excelling in various fields, including sports, culture, gastronomy, bullfighting, and environmental protection. She emphasised that such efforts enrich the social and cultural life of Ciudad Real and showcase the initiative of its communities.
This year's awardees included professional futsal player Álex Naranjo Lerma for his sports achievements, the Ciudad Real Bullfighting School for supporting aspiring bullfighters, artists Manuel and Engracia for their contributions, cantaor Roque Barato, known as 'El Torres', for his professionalism, Restaurante Cantueso for its quality and entrepreneurial spirit, and the INFOCAM device for its commitment to environmental protection and public safety.
Acknowledgment of INFOCAM's efforts
Fernández extended her gratitude to Imás TV for awarding INFOCAM, which recognises the nearly 2,800 men and women dedicated year-round to preventing and extinguishing forest fires. She stated, "These 2,800 individuals are, to a large extent, a bulletproof vest for our environment. They protect it and often risk their own safety to defend it, so we must continually value their work."
She underscored the importance of having a well-prepared team to respond to fires and safeguard both the population and the natural and cultural heritage. The Government of Castilla-La Mancha allocates €126 million annually for fire prevention and extinguishing efforts, ensuring that professionals have the necessary resources to perform their duties effectively.
A national and international reference
The recognition awarded to INFOCAM highlights its established reputation as a public service model at both national and international levels, known for its professionalism, organisation, and responsiveness. Active year-round, INFOCAM engages in fire prevention and extinguishing, as well as responding to other emergencies, including natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
INFOCAM's strength lies in its comprehensive management model, which combines prevention, preparedness, and emergency response throughout the year. Its activities are part of a broader strategy to protect and conserve the natural heritage of Castilla-La Mancha, focusing on preventive forestry work to reduce fire risks.
The award was accepted by Javier Pérez Olivares, a technician from INFOCAM Ciudad Real, recognising the commitment and professionalism of the team members whose work is essential for protecting people, property, and the natural heritage of Castilla-La Mancha.
Cultural heritage and tourism as economic drivers
Fernández also emphasised the significance of cultural events and the historical, artistic, and natural heritage as key elements of identity and economic development opportunities for the province. She concluded by stating that the value of cultural heritage extends beyond its historical and artistic dimensions, as it also attracts visitors, stimulates economic activity, and generates employment.
In this context, she noted that Ciudad Real has established itself as a prominent destination for inland tourism, recording nearly 800,000 overnight stays and approximately 500,000 visitors last year, positioning it among the provinces with the highest growth in rural tourism.
