Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 13^th March 2024

Good morning. Certainly it is nice to see some spring like weather after the storms and snow in some parts of the mainland during the last week. The highlight for the records will be that it was the first time that the IPMA has raised a maximum red warning for snow the criteria being snow fall over xxx

It is however still cold overnight particularly in the north, so particular care needs to be taken in the use of heating equipment and wood burning fire. News yesterday was that three people suffered minor injuries and were left homeless following a gas cylinder explosion which completely destroyed their home. The fire took place in Avintes, Vila Nova de Gaia. An explosion from a gas cylinder, placed in the kitchen of a house, caused the fire, which completely destroyed the house, despite the prompt intervention of firefighters.

Although the exact cause is unknown this is a reminder to regularly check your cylinders and gas tubes if you use them. How long has it been since you’ve checked or replaced the tube that takes gas from the bottle to the stove or BBQ? There are rules and concerning the use of gas cylinders as such equipment are the causes every year for many accidents and risks in kitchens and housing. For instance flexible rubber tubes must comply with the requirements set out in standard NP 4436 and must not exceed 1.5 meters in length. And are valid for five years from the date of manufacture and must be assembled so as to: not come into contact with the hot parts of the equipment; not subject to the action of flames or combustion products and not cross the back of the stove. Ensure your safety and that of everyone who lives under your roof, follow the rules described and check the pipe connection regularly.

Some good news is that after a week with rain and snow all over the country, the reservoirs increased by 2.7%, are now at 87% of total capacity, corresponding to 11498 hm3.The soils are saturated, and reservoirs in the Algarve continue to slowly increase their storage levels. This means we must continue with water conservation given the longer term forecasts and the absence of solutions over the next few months.

As part of the celebrations of the International Civil Protection Day, which is celebrated on March 1, all of you interested are invited to participate in the IV Fair of “Civil Protection of Knowledge in Albufeira”. The IV Civil Protection Knowledge Fair, with free entrance, will take place in the Albufeira Multipurpose Space on March 21, 22 and 23, between 10 am and 7 pm (located next to Lidl in Albufeira). It will have demonstrations, lectures, awareness-raising actions, informative sessions, simulators, Virtual Risk Room, screenings, workshops and an exhibition of resources and resources of the Civil Protection Officers, located in the parking lot of the Municipal Canteen. Program in English https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lV-Albufeira-Civil-Protection-Knowledge-Fair-English.pdf?

This Event will allow various Civil Protection Agents, as well as Cooperating Entities, including Safe Communities Portugal to present their mission, means and resources, enabling direct contact and interaction with the population. Follow below the direct link to register for the 4th Civil Protection Knowledge Fair 2024 lectures. We count on your precious presence!

For those of you who have with teenagers, please note that the PSP is carrying out awareness-raising actions among school students who are going on final year trips, alerting them to the excessive consumption of alcohol and use of drugs during those trips. The PSP indicates that the “Finalist Trips” operation will run until March 22 across the country, at a time when students in the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary education undertake travel trips, with Spain being one of the most frequent destinations. The aim is to raise awareness as a way of preventing addictive and risky behaviours associated with final year trips, and which contribute to better knowledge among young people at these ages about the dangers associated with these consumptions.

The PSP advises that students maintain regular contact with their families during the holidays, have fun without committing excesses, travel in a group and do not lose sight of the drink when attending nightlife spaces or any other space with a large crowd of people; do not accept any type of substances from strangers, carry their identification documents and European health card, not to abuse the facilities of the hotels and respect local authorities.

Our team wishes you all the best for the week ahead

News

Union advances with advance notice of strike at TAP

Civil Aviation workers accuse the company of “disrespect”. They will stop overtime work between March 28th and July 30th.

The National Union of Civil Aviation Workers (SINTAC) issued this Tuesday a notice of strike regarding overtime work at TAP between March 28th and July 30th.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the union structure demands payment of the increases provided for in the new company agreement and accuses the airline of “disrespect”.

SINTAC and TAP granted a company agreement last February, providing for salary increases of between 6% and 10% with retroactive effect to July 2023. Contrary to what happened with other workers, TAP did not fulfil its commitment assumed to make the payments agreed upon in February 2024 processing. Such an omission represents a profound disrespect”, the note reads.

The minimum services “necessary for the safety and maintenance of equipment and facilities” are ensured

Funicular da Graça in Lisbon opened 15 years after construction began

The inauguration was carried out by the Mayor of Lisbon, who highlighted the importance of the work for the residents of Graça and Mouraria, who had been waiting for the funicular since 2009.

The Graça Funicular, which will connect this Lisbon neighbourhood to Mouraria, was inaugurated this Tuesday, 15 years after it began construction, leading to an overrun of the initial budget by 7 million euros. The inauguration was in charge of the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, who highlighted the importance of the work for the residents of Graça and Mouraria, who had been waiting for the funicular since 2009 because the project “was at a standstill”.

“We managed to untie this knot, untie the knot of a problem that Lisbon residents have been waiting for so long and now we will have it here, free of charge, for our Lisbon residents to go up between Mouraria and Graça. It’s a unique moment”, said Carlos Moedas (PSD). Recalling that, 120 years ago, there was an elevator in the area between Graça and Rua da Palma, the mayor highlighted that this work is “unique in the city” and “will serve the people of Lisbon”.

The Graça Funicular will provide the route from Rua dos Lagares, in Mouraria, to the Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, in front of the Graça church. It is a single route, made up of rails and with only two stops stop at the beginning of each route, with the capacity to transport a maximum of 14 people per trip, in around a minute and a half.

According to Carlos Moedas, trips will initially be free, and will then be paid for, except for Navegante pass holders. “It’s natural that they pay, it’s natural because they have to help the city, those who come from outside will pay”, said Carlos Moedas, flanked by the vice-president of the municipality, Filipe Anacoreta Correia, and the presidents of the parish councils of São Vicente and Santa Maria Maior, Natalina Moura and Miguel Coelho, respectively.

Initially planned to be managed by Carris, the Graça Funicular will be managed by the Lisbon Mobility and Parking Company — EMEL, and will operate every day between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm.