Fires: Government says discussion on Civil Protection model is untimely

The Secretary of State for Civil Protection today considered the discussion on the Civil Protection system to be untimely, highlighting that the commitment is still to fight fires and that this system has yielded very positive responses.

"At this point, I think it's untimely because we have to operate with the model we have. This isn't the time to be discussing that model, and therefore, in due time, which will be at the end of this instrument, we will certainly all be fully available to, based on the contributions of some and listening to many opinions, decide on the government's solution for this organization," stated Rui Rocha.

The minister was speaking to journalists in Vila Real, where he met with fire departments and the mayor and after hearing the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, António Nunes, reaffirm that he supports a reorganization of the Civil Protection model to district commands, instead of the current sub-regional commands.

"We still have several incidents, even today, a series more. And therefore, at this moment and until the end of the procedure, we must be committed and focused on providing the best and most comprehensive response possible," the Secretary of State emphasized.

Rui Rocha also recalled that the reorganization of the Civil Protection model is in the Government's program, but reinforced that the discussion is untimely.

"Although, as has been mentioned, not everything is happening as we would like, it is indeed worth highlighting that this device has yielded very positive responses," he stressed.

When the time comes, he added, this assessment will be made and the Government will certainly “act.”

"We will not rest until we convince the current government that this is a good solution and a better solution for the defense of our populations," said António Nunes, president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, referring to the former district command organization.

The Secretary of State began today in Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, and in Vila Real, a tour of municipalities affected by major fires to announce the expedited payment of 50 thousand euros to fire brigades for facing "extraordinary expenses."

"That is, specifically with regard to food and fuel, which are two of the most significant elements in the theater of operations, and also in streamlining some vehicle repair processes so that, in the shortest possible time, they can be reimbursed and, therefore, from this point of view, there are no obstacles to their normal activity," he explained.

Rui Rocha made a point of guaranteeing corporations “streamlined mechanisms so that these expenses can be reimbursed as quickly as possible” by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).

For the Portuguese Firefighters League, this measure is an "innovation" that allows corporations to "rely on a working capital fund that they must justify 'a posteriori', presenting the necessary documentation."

António Nunes also stated that the government official, at the meeting in Vila Real, guaranteed that, "in the short term, the first intervention must be as professional as possible."

ANEPC President José Manuel Moura was also present at today's meetings.

The Mayor of Vila Real, Alexandre Favaios, spoke about the need, at a later stage after the firefighting, to make "an in-depth assessment" of what went less well, particularly in his municipality, where the fire started on August 2, was in its final stages, suffered strong reactivations and was concluded on the 13th, after burning around 6,000 hectares.

The mayor advocated changes, particularly in legislative terms, but also changes in terms of land use planning policy.