On March 1, Civil Protection Day is celebrated, instituted worldwide by the International Civil Protection Organization (OIPC) and nationally by Order of the Minister for Internal Administration.

To mark the date, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) has programmed several initiatives that will take place, either at its headquarters, in Carnaxide, or in other areas of the country, during the month of March, through the respective District Operations Commands of Relief (CDOS).

Saturday, February 29

THE PRIME MINISTER OFFICIATES AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE NEW BUILDINGS OF THE EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION REGIONAL COMMAND AND THE ALGARVE LOGISTIC SUPPORT BASE.

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, together with the City Council of Loulé, will hold tomorrow, February 29, at 10:30 am, the evocative national session of Civil Protection Day, with the inauguration of the Regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection (CREPC), in Loulé, and one of the five national Logistical Support Bases (BAL), in Quarteira.

The ceremony, chaired by S.E. Prime Minister António Costa, will be attended by the Minister of Internal Administration, High Entities of the Ministry of Internal Administration and other Ministries, by the Hon. Mr. President of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, Lieutenant-General Carlos Mourato Nunes, and of senior dignitaries of the most diverse Entities that are part of the civil protection

This day will also be honoured those who, having demonstrated a high civic sense and genuine commitment to the cause of the common good, lost their lives in the service of Civil Protection, as a result of protection and relief operations.

As this is a public ceremony, it will have a static exhibition of means and resources of the various Civil Protection Agents, in the area adjacent to the BAL do Algarve, in Quarteira, open to the population from 10:00 to 17:00 hours.

4th and 5th of March

DAY OPEN TO SCHOOLS AND THE PUBLIC – EXPOSURE OF MEANS AND OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT (DEMONSTRATIONS).

On March 4 and 5, the day is open to schools and the public. During these two days, ANEPC’s facilities, in Carnaxide, will be open to students from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles of basic education, and to the general public, with exposure of the means and operational equipment of the various agents and civil protection services and various activities, with special emphasis on kinotechnical demonstration sessions by the National Guard (search and rescue), extrication techniques by Fire Brigades and the Civil Protection Special Force of ANEPC, and other awareness actions in the field of civil protection.

From the north to the south of the country, throughout the month of March, the District Commands of Relief Operations of ANEPC, will also mark the date, promoting, in partnership with the Humanitarian Associations of Firefighters, Municipal Civil Protection Services and other Agents of Civil Protection, activities for different audiences, such as simulations, exhibitions and / or reflection days.

In Portugal and in the world, the celebration of the date aims to raise awareness of the importance of civil protection, in safeguarding human life, property, cultural and environmental heritage in the face of serious accidents and catastrophes; pay tribute to all civil protection agents and promote reflection and dialogue around the risks to which populations and territories are subject, and the role that each of us, citizens, plays in the collective effort to create resilient communities, most developed societies.

According to the International Civil Protection Organization, the theme of the International Civil Protection Day 2020 is the following “Civil Protection and First Aider in every Home”.

The theme underlines the fundamental role that a well-prepared citizen plays in the event of an emergency or catastrophe, as protection and relief services will never be sufficient to provide all the necessary care. In these circumstances, citizens have an important mission to protect their lives and those of their neighbours (family, neighbour and community), help those in need (according to previously trained and apprehended procedures), inform their community and the authorities and agents of civil protection.

Today, citizens are simultaneously protagonists and active agents of civil protection, in the right to information about the risks to which they are subjected in their daily lives, and in the duty to adopt preventive measures and appropriate self-protection behaviours.