Safe Communities Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Good morning everyone: We start with a reminder that the A Terra Treme Earthquake awareness exercise coinciding with Tsunami Day will take place on 5th November 2024. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) promotes the national seismic risk awareness exercise, which Safe Communities Portugal has supported in a number of ways.
This initiative is part of the activities that form part of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection and aims to empower the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake, sensitizing citizens to the fact of living in a risk society, and challenging themselves o to get involved in the process of building safer and more resilient communities.
The exercise comprises the practice of 3 simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practice them in the face of an earthquake. The action takes place during one (1) minute, in which the participants, individually or collectively, are invited to perform the 3 self-protection gestures: DROP, COVER, HOLD. Everyone can and should participate: individually or in groups, wherever they are. It is important that everyone is aware of what to do in the event of an earthquake so please help promote it and register here.
A reminder of the law concerning the burning of cut and piled waste. From 1st June to 31st October: Regardless of fire risk in the municipality concerned i.e. Low, Moderate, High, Very high or maximum, “Authorization is required. Initial status reported: Pending awaiting Council decision. Post-decision states reported: “Authorized” or “Unauthorized”. However, some municipalities have imposed a blanket ban regardless of risk up to 31st October.
From 1st November to 31st May: Low, Moderate or HIGH fire risk: Requests are made in the form of prior communication (does not require a decision process) Status reported: “Meets conditions” https://fogos.icnf.pt/InfoQueimasQueimadas/ Very High or Maximum fire risk “Authorization is required. Initial status reported: Pending awaiting Council decision. Post-decision states reported: “Authorized” or “Unauthorized”.
Ensure that if you are burning cut and piled waste all the safety conditions are complied with. If no prior communication is made or the fire is not authorised this can result in a very heavy fine.
Some information, following the news about an ICNF worker dying after a wasp sting. The man died after going into cardiorespiratory arrest, whilst on duty in the north of Portugal
Asian hornet first appeared in Europe in France in 2004. Six years later their presence was confirmed in Spain. In 2011 it appeared in Portugal. In just over a decade, the Asian hornet occupied a large part of mainland Portugal, with thousands of insects flying across the country. Like other wasps, their life cycle is annual and begins in spring, when the young queen wakes up from hibernation, hidden away from bad weather but outside the nest, in trees, on the ground or in rock crevices.
Generally, an Asian hornet sting causes only a local reaction, with pain, itching, redness and swelling at the site of the sting. People however with a history of allergic reactions, a severe allergic reaction – anaphylaxis – the symptoms appear a few minutes after the bite and have varying degrees of severity. Whenever an Asian wasp nest is detected, the municipal civil protection services should be contacted;
Or Contact with GNR | SOS Environment line | 808 200 520;
On Monday Safe Communities held our General meeting with a turnout of 14 members which was very good for an organisation of our size. There were no changes in the composition off the management team of Fiscal Council. An excellent opportunity for people to get together with members on-line from the Azores and Canada. Apart from routine business we discussed our activities over the last year and some of our plans for the future. We also discussed some of the results of our recent Preparedness for Natural Hazards survey which we will publish survey.
Lastly please be aware that the police are cracking down on drivers using mobile phones whilst driving. Last week alone the GNR caught near 700 so be aware!
Our team wishes you a safe week ahead
News
Nelas municipality with losses of over 1.5 million euros
The municipality of Nelas recorded losses of over 1.5 million euros in the agricultural sector and municipal equipment due to the fires in September, the Mayor revealed today.
“We are talking about almost 1.53 million euros. Of these, almost 700,000 euros in municipal equipment and infrastructure”, said the president, Joaquim Amaral.
The total losses also include more than 500 thousand euros relating to small farmers, a figure that has not yet been finalised, and almost 350 thousand euros relate to the Mining Development Company (EDM).
Among the municipal facilities, the president said that Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and pumping stations were seriously affected, as well as a football stadium in Vale de Madeiros, among other facilities.
With a total of 2,305 hectares of burnt area, “mostly forest land, followed by agricultural land”, the president specified that the fire destroyed “essentially vineyards, olive groves and agricultural land of the family subsistence economy”, with “some small and medium-sized enterprises”.
“Mainly elderly people, but we are also talking about many young people with businesses in areas such as pig farming, rabbit farming, poultry farming, winemaking and the raising of sheep and goats to produce the milk used in the manufacture of Serra da Estrela cheese”, he said.
In the municipality of Nelas, the flames consumed a house in the parish of Senhorim, which, according to the mayor, is identified as being a first home, but did not reach any businesses.
“Although the fire was close to all business areas, particularly the two in Nelas and Canas de Senhorim, fortunately it was possible to control it,” he said.
However, he added, indirect impacts may be assessed, caused “by the intense heat, which may have influenced products and equipment”.
Nine people died and more than 170 were injured as a result of the fires that hit last week, mainly in the North and Center regions of Portugal.
Between September 15 and 20, forest fires consumed around 135,000 hectares, bringing the total area burned in Portugal this year to almost 147,000 hectares.
Black Friday: Portuguese people are expected to spend an average of around 300 euros, more than last year
This year, more Portuguese people are interested in shopping on Black Friday. Fashion continues to be the most sought-after category. Travel appears for the first time in the top 5 of purchasing intentions.
This year, the Portuguese are expected to spend more money on Black Friday. On average, most people plan to spend 311 euros. In total, the turnover in Portugal will be between 130 and 140 million euros.
The tradition is North American, but Black Friday has already become a habit in Portugal. Brands from different sectors offer promotions.
There are more Portuguese people interested than last year. The week before or the week of the event, they want to “go” to Black Friday to take advantage of the special discounts. The opportunities are transversal to many categories, but fashion, which includes clothing, footwear and accessories, continues to be the most sought after.
The annual study by blackfriday.pt, an international start up dedicated to Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions in Portugal, reveals the predictions for Black Friday week: 130 to 140 million this year.
The study was carried out between October 7 and 12 and included 428 participants, aged between 18 and 74.
74% of respondents intend to take advantage of promotions, which represents a slight increase compared to 2023.
The purchases will be made mainly by women and the majority of buyers are from the
How much will the Portuguese spend?
The majority of Portuguese people (71%) plan to spend an average of 311 euros, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year, when they spent 290 euros.