The last fortnight of May will have a 21% increase in combat means compared to last year, with 288 more teams, 1316 operations, 294 vehicles and six aircraft more than in 2018.
The resources to fight fires will be reinforced this year with more operational, vehicles and air assets, the most visible increase in the last fortnight of May, according to the National Operational Directive (DON) approved on Tuesday.
The Directive which the Lusa agency had access to, was approved this Tuesday 2nd April at the National Commission for Civil Protection and establishes the Special Firefighting Device (DECIR) for 2019.
As happened in 2018, this year’s DECIR is organized and operates “on a permanent basis”, reinforced by the probability of the occurrence of rural fires and the alert of the Integrated Protection and Relief Operations System (SIOPS).
The largest reinforcement of combat resources takes place in the last fortnight of May, which will increase by 21% compared to 2018
According to the DON, the last fortnight of May, with a commitment of level II means, will have 288 more teams, 1316 operations, 294 vehicles and six aerial means than in 2018, counting the device this year with a total of 1761 teams, 7606 operational, 1735 vehicles and 38 air assets.
July, August and September continue to mobilize more
However, July, August and September, considered the most critical period in fires, continue to mobilize the largest number of resources, this year having 11,492 operational, 2653 teams, 2493 vehicles and 60 air assets.
Last year, this level of maximum commitment (denominated by level IV) counted on 10,767 operatives, 2463 teams, 2303 vehicles and 55 aerial means.
The document establishes, for the month of June (level III), a device of 2081 teams, 9038 operational, 2073 vehicles and 60 aerial means. In relation to 2018, June will have another 202 teams, 851 elements, 215 vehicles and 12 aerial means.
In the first half of October, the media commitment is also level III and will be operational 2147 teams, 9279 operational, 1972 vehicles and 60 air assets. At the same time last year, DECIR was composed of 1944 teams, 8352 fighters, 1763 vehicles and 34 aircraft.
The DON also indicates that between 16 and 31 October, the permanent commitment forces and 39 air assets are included, and the number of means determined according to the assessment of the danger and the risk of fire.
Between 1 November and 31 December, where the mobilization of resources is the lowest (level I), the forces of permanent commitment and 17 aircraft will be operational, three of them from the State and 14 of them leased.
Also with level I, the period of 1 January and 14 May counts on the forces of permanent commitment and 14 aerial means. During Level I, the hazard and fire risk assessment will determine the level of additional media commitment.
Fire brigades, GNR Emergency and Protection Unit; Special Firefighters Force and forest sapper brigade teams are part of the permanent firefighting engagement forces.
The DON notes that the means of combating fires planned for this year can be changed “due to the risk of fire predictable”.
The same document also indicates that the National Network of Watch Stations , under the responsibility of the GNR, will be in operation from 7 May to 30 October, with 228 stations operating between 1 July and 15 October and the remaining 72