“At this moment I believe it is premature because we have to operate with the model we have. It is not the time to discuss this model, therefore, in due course, which will be at the end of this device, certainly we will all be fully available to decide, with input from some and also listening to many opinions, on what is the Government’s solution for this organization,” said Rui Rocha.
The official spoke to journalists in Vila Real, where he met with fire brigades and the mayor, and after hearing the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, António Nunes, reaffirm the need for a reorganization of the Civil Protection model to district commands, instead of the current sub-regional commands.
“We still have various occurrences, today yet another series of them. Therefore, at this moment and until the end of the device, we must be committed and focused on providing the best and most comprehensive response possible,” emphasized the Secretary of State.
Rui Rocha also reminded that the reorganization of the Civil Protection model is in the Government’s program but stressed that the discussion is premature.
“Although, as has been noted, not everything is happening as we would like, it is indeed worth highlighting that this device has provided very positive responses,” he stressed.
In the appropriate time, he added, an evaluation will be made and surely the Government “will act.”
“We will not rest until we convince the current Government that this is a good solution and a better solution for the defense of our populations,” stated the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League, António Nunes, referring to the former organization by district commands.
The Secretary of State today began a tour in Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, and in Vila Real, through municipalities affected by major fires to announce the streamlining of 50,000 euros to fire brigades to cover “extraordinary expenses.”
“That is, in terms of food and fuel, which are two very significant elements in the theater of operations, and also in streamlining some processes of vehicle repair so that, in the shortest possible time, they can be reimbursed and, therefore, not have any obstacles to their normal activity,” he explained.
Rui Rocha made a point of ensuring the brigades have “streamlined mechanisms so that these expenses can be reimbursed as quickly as possible” by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
For the Portuguese Firefighters League, this measure is an “innovation” that allows the brigades to “resort to a working capital fund that they must justify ‘a posteriori’, by presenting the necessary documentation.”
António Nunes also mentioned that in the Vila Real meeting, the official guaranteed that “in the short term, the first intervention should be as professional as possible.”
The president of ANEPC, José Manuel Moura, was also present at today’s meetings.
The mayor of Vila Real, Alexandre Favaios, spoke about the need for, after the phase of fighting fires, a “thorough evaluation” on what went less well, namely in his municipality, where the fire started on August 2nd, was brought under control, suffered strong reactivations, and was concluded on the 13th, after burning about 6,000 hectares.
The mayor advocated changes, especially in legislative terms, but also changes in land use policy.
