The resources are outlined in the National Operational Directive, which establishes the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires for this year. The directive, which will be approved today at the National Civil Protection Commission meeting chaired by Secretary of State for Civil Protection Paulo Simões Ribeiro, details the deployment strategy.
During the peak period from July 1 to September 30, termed ‘Delta level,’ the land-based deployment will involve 11,161 personnel, 2,293 teams, and 2,417 vehicles. These numbers may increase as the plan allows for additional resources to tackle more severe situations.
In such cases, the number of personnel could exceed 15,000, primarily reinforced by volunteer firefighters.
The directive anticipates the possibility of mobilizing an additional 3,863 personnel, 279 teams, and 999 vehicles within 24 hours.
Last year, from July to September, the firefighting operations involved 14,155 personnel, 3,162 teams, and 3,173 vehicles. This year, there will be 2,994 fewer personnel, 869 fewer teams, and 756 fewer vehicles.
Comparing this year’s directive with that of 2024 reveals a reduction in personnel due to fewer members from the GNR and the Special Civil Protection Force. Additionally, this year’s resources do not account for observation posts managed by the National Republican Guard, the PSP structure, and fire surveillance resources.
The directive does not specify the total number of aerial resources, but sources from Civil Protection indicate that aerial units could reach 76, four more than in 2024.
Among the total personnel involved, firefighters constitute the largest group with 8,148 members, of which 3,799 belong to Permanent Intervention Teams, followed by 2,248 from the Nature Conservation and Forests Institute, 449 from the GNR, and 74 from the Special Civil Protection Force, according to the directive.
The first reinforcement phase is scheduled for May 15, involving 8,882 personnel, 1,788 teams, and 1,873 vehicles, extending until May 31.
The directive also foresees additional resource reinforcements on June 1 and again on July 1, when the response capacity reaches its peak.
The National Operational Directive annually defines the resources and establishes the structure for directing, commanding, and controlling the Integrated Protection and Relief Operations System. It also outlines how institutional coordination, regulation, articulation, and optimization of forces and organizations within the system are ensured.
The National Civil Protection Commission meeting, a coordination body for civil protection, will take place at the headquarters of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority in Carnaxide (Oeiras).
