Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 15th May 2024
Good morning. Yesterday I had the pleasure in participating in Regional Exercise – DECIRALG’24. This is the preparation phase of #DECIR24, powered by the Algarve Regional Command, of the Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil (ANEPC) which culminates with the usual final exercise – DECIRALG’24. This involved around 400 elements, from the different Civil Protection Services and Agents and other entities, co-operators, including 176 firefighters from the region and Safe Communities Portugal (as a Civil Protection Volunteer organisation).
With a very high fire risk in the Algarve yesterday, the possibility existed of a real fire, which came about towards the end of the exercise near Quinta das Alfambras, in the parish of Bordeira, in Aljezur. This forced the evacuation of a motorhome park Parque de campismo Francelos, in the area of the Espinhaço de Cão wind farm. It was one of the largest fires of the year in terms of deployment, involving 115 operatives. Fire now under vigilance stage.
Today Forest firefighting resources will be reinforced, with 11,293 operational resources and 34 aerial resources on the ground, according to the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR). The next reinforcement stage begins on the 1St June. In discussion with many different entities participating in the DECIRALG’24 Exercise there appears to be a general consensus, that this could be a challenging year in the Algarve as far as fires are concerned, with very dry condition and high temperatures. It is extremely important therefore that everyone is vigilant and is prepared.
Around 5 days ago we posted a reminder about the dangers of Rip Currents. It seems to have had a very positive impact reaching over a quarter of million people and being shared nearly one thousand times! This an excellent response showing the importance of getting public safety messages across.
As the weather is becoming warmer and if heading for the beach, it is important to know how to spot a rip current. Unfortunately, it’s where it looks easiest and safest to enter the sea. This is because the rip current is looping around and pulling back out. Hence no waves rolling-in. NEVER enter the sea here. If you are already in the sea and get caught in a rip current (you’ll know because you will suddenly be moved from your location and it will be impossible to swim against it) don’t panic. Swim ACROSS, not against the rip current. For example, rather than trying to swim to shore while being pushed out, swim parallel to the beach and you will be able to get out. Then you can swim ashore.
Please educate friends or family visiting the beaches this summer. Stay safe. Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows the full extent of a rip current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAlDTC_gIQ
Lastly a reminder that land cleaning must be completed by 31st May. If this includes the burning of cut and piled waste, due to the current very high fire risk in the Algarve, you will need to choose your day where the risk in your municipality is lower.
With that have a safe week ahead.
News
Government follows CTI recommendation and chooses Alcochete for new airport
Lisbon, May 14, 2024 (Lusa) – The Government today approved the construction of the new airport in the Lisbon region in Alcochete, following the recommendation of the Independent Technical Commission (CTI), announced the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.
“The Government decided to approve the development of the new Lisbon airport with a view to fully replacing Humberto Delgado Airport at the Alcochete shooting range and giving it the name Luís de Camões Airport”, announced Luís Montenegro, in a statement to the country, after an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers this afternoon.
On March 11, the CTI published the final report of the strategic environmental assessment of the new airport, maintaining the recommendation of a single solution in Alcochete, the most advantageous, or Vendas Novas, also pointing out that Humberto Delgado + Santarém could be a transitional solution.
The PSD decided to set up an internal working group to analyze the location of the new Lisbon airport, after agreeing with the PS to set up a CTI to carry out the strategic environmental assessment.
The social democratic president, Luís Montenegro, guaranteed, before being elected, that the decision would be taken “in the first days” of government.
The Government explained today that the Alcochete Shooting Range has the advantage of being located entirely on public land, while Vendas Novas requires expropriations, representing additional burden and allows, in the future, to grow from two to four lanes, if necessary.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, who spoke after the Prime Minister, also recalled that Alcochete already had an Environmental Impact Declaration approved, which is currently expired, and that it is closer to Lisbon, compared to Vendas Novas, requiring less time and travel costs.
The Government also pointed out as an advantage the proximity of Alcochete to the main roads and railways, which allows traffic to be decentralized in the center of Lisbon.
The Government’s rationale for the decision also included the possibility of accommodating TAP’s expansion plans, which have preliminary projections of 190-250 aircraft in 2050, and dual solutions could jeopardize the sustainability of the ‘hub’ (airport platform). flight distribution).
Forest firefighting resources reinforced from today
Lisbon, May 15, 2024 (Lusa) – Forest firefighting resources will be reinforced from today, with 11,293 operational resources and 34 aerial resources on the ground, according to the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR).
This device will be on the ground between today and May 31st, and it is the first reinforcement of resources of the year, at what is called ‘Bravo level’.
During this period, 11,293 operatives will be available, forming part of 2,517 teams of various agents present on the ground, in addition to aerial assets, of which there will be a maximum of 34.
The 11,293 operatives from the 2,517 teams involved in DECIR over the next two weeks are elements belonging to the volunteer firefighters, Special Civil Protection Force, military personnel from the National Republican Guard and elements from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, namely forestry sappers and forestry firefighters. .
Compared to the same period last year, 893 more operational personnel and an identical number of aerial assets are involved in DECIR.
Firefighting resources will be reinforced again on June 1st, but it is between July and September, considered the most critical phase, the period in which the largest resources are mobilized, with 14,155 operational personnel from 3,162 teams and 3,173 vehicles available this year. a slight increase compared to 2023.
However, the season considered most critical for rural fires will feature 70 aerial resources this year, two fewer than in 2023, with the resources that will not be available at DECIR being two ‘Canadair’ planes due to difficulties in the market.
The Air Force guarantees that the 70 aerial assets for this year are all contracted.
This year, the approval and presentation of DECIR took place almost simultaneously with the first increase in resources of the year.
On Tuesday, when the device was presented, the president of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Duarte da Costa, considered that the DECIR for 2024 is “stable and robust”.