At an event marking the 18th anniversary of Portugal’s National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), José Manuel Moura expressed concerns over the agency’s ability to retain its human resources, despite its mission requiring “permanent availability.”
He emphasized the dedication and skills of the ANEPC staff, saying, “In some divisions or service departments of the Authority, genuine miracles occur thanks to the competence, solidarity, commitment to public service, and passion for protection and rescue.”
José Manuel Moura, who assumed his position ten weeks ago, stated that he has met with all employees across the organizational units, which include five regional commands covering the North, Center, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo, and Algarve, as well as 24 sub-regional commands for emergency and civil protection.
The ANEPC has prepared the rural fire-fighting directive for the year, along with a financial directive that outlines the state’s contribution to the expenses of fire brigades, especially during fires. These documents are pending review and approval by the national civil protection commission.
Moura also mentioned that a proposal to amend the organic law of ANEPC has been submitted to the supervising authority.
After the ceremony, the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, informed reporters that while the changes to the ANEPC’s organic law have been finalized, they cannot be approved by an interim government.
Should the PSD win the anticipated legislative elections on May 18, the minister noted that “this matter will be addressed immediately.”
The issue at hand is the current government’s territorial division of the civil protection system, which previously led to the dissolution of the 18 district commands of operations and relief (CDOS) in favor of 24 sub-regional emergency and civil protection commands. The current government aims to restore the CDOS and eliminate the sub-regional commands.
In January 2023, the now-defunct 18 district commands were replaced with 24 sub-regional commands, whose territorial divisions align with each intermunicipal community.
The existing structure also includes regional commands for the North, Center, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo, and Algarve.
At the event, the four firefighters who lost their lives in the September 2024 forest fires were honored.
