The resources are outlined in the National Operational Directive (DON), which establishes the Special Device for Fighting Rural Fires (DECIR) for this year. The directive will be approved today at the National Civil Protection Commission, presided over by Paulo Simões Ribeiro, the Secretary of State for Civil Protection.
According to the directive, the ground forces will consist of 11,161 operatives, 2,293 teams, and 2,417 vehicles during the peak deployment period from July 1 to September 30, referred to as ‘Delta level.’ These numbers may be increased if necessary, as the DECIR allows for the mobilization of additional resources to address more severe situations.
In such cases, the number of personnel in combat could exceed 15,000, with reinforcements primarily composed of volunteer firefighters.
The directive anticipates the potential mobilization of an additional 3,863 operatives, 279 teams, and 999 vehicles within 24 hours if needed.
Last year, the number of operatives involved in combating fires between July and September was 14,155, with 3,162 teams and 3,173 vehicles. This year, there will be 2,994 fewer operatives, 869 fewer teams, and 756 fewer vehicles.
Comparing this year’s DON with that of 2024, the reduction in operatives is due to fewer elements from the National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Special Civil Protection Force, and this year the lookout posts managed by the GNR, as well as the Public Security Police (PSP) structure and fire surveillance resources, are not counted as combat resources.
The directive to be approved today does not specify the total number of aerial resources, but a Civil Protection source informed Lusa that aerial resources could reach 76, four more than in 2024.
Of the total operatives involved, the majority are firefighters (8,148), of which 3,799 are from the Permanent Intervention Teams, followed by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (2,248), the GNR (449), and the Special Civil Protection Force (74), according to the DON.
The first reinforcement of resources will occur on May 15, with 8,882 personnel, 1,788 teams, and 1,873 vehicles expected during this phase, which extends until May 31.
The directive also anticipates a new increase in combat resources on June 1, with another boost on July 1, when the DECIR is at its maximum response capacity.
The DON is the document that annually defines the resources and establishes the architecture of the direction, command, and control structure of the Integrated System of Protection and Relief Operations, as well as how institutional coordination, regulation, articulation, and optimization of the forces and agencies within the system are ensured.
The meeting of the National Civil Protection Commission, a coordinating body for civil protection matters, will be held at the headquarters of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection in Carnaxide (Oeiras).
