“The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Rui Rocha, highlighted two important goals: the first quarter of 2026, but by the end of the year we already expect to have important documents, such as the directive for fighting forest fires,” stated the president of the Portuguese Firefighters League (LBP).
At the LBP congress, protests had already been approved this morning in response to the government’s lack of response to firefighter demands.
“Our timing would be the end of the year,” said António Nunes, suggesting that in light of today’s signals from the official, the protests might be postponed.
“If we do not have [responses] by January, but we are convinced that it is in February, nothing will happen,” but, “if it starts to seem like it is for the next budget, for the next year, we will not accept it,” affirmed the League president, admitting that in such a case, the firefighters might proceed with the protests decided at the congress.
Firefighters decided today to move forward with protests, such as refusing to carry out patient discharges for a few hours, slow marches, and monthly vehicle assemblies at parliament, due to the government’s lack of response to the sector’s demands.
Lusa | 11:36 – 16/11/2025
Rui Rocha announced at the close of the 45th National League Congress in Alcobaça that the government is developing “the career structure and its correlation with labor laws for everyone who found employment with the Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters,” whose first phase should be completed “by the end of the first quarter of 2026.”
The Secretary of State for Civil Protection indicated that the government is also “in the final phase of revising the Organic Law of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority,” intending to implement a model in the next DECIR (Special Device for Combating Rural Fires) “based on a new organizational paradigm that will enhance firefighter participation in the national structure, create conditions for more efficient coordination, and ensure territorial and functional coherence of the system.”
He also assured that the government plans to address other firefighter demands, such as the signing of program contracts for financing humanitarian associations, the professionalization of first intervention teams, and the creation of a digital platform to streamline the reimbursement of expenses to humanitarian associations within the framework of DECIR 2026.
Rui Rocha acknowledged that “expectations are high, problems are real, and solutions are complex,” and confirmed: “This government is attentive, present, and committed to reforms that will not be cosmetic, but structural.”
The government’s action plan for civil protection “only makes sense with firefighters inside, alongside, and upfront,” concluded the Secretary of State.
The official’s assurances were made after the LBP president, António Nunes, highlighted in his speech that firefighters are tired of diagnoses and promises and urged the Secretary of State to give concrete dates.
At the end of the Congress, António Nunes acknowledged to the Lusa news agency that “the government gave some signals.”
“What we have to do is when there is the same goal but different speeds, we adapt the speeds,” said the LBP president, noting that the negotiations may not move at the pace firefighters desire, but also that they will not “accept the speed” being imposed on them.
“In a negotiation process, there always have to be concessions. Here we are only being asked for time concessions, we are no longer being asked for concessions on what are the final objectives, which is a very significant step forward,” he said, considering the announcements made by both the Secretary of State today and the Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, on Saturday.
António Nunes, however, gave a guarantee: “the Portuguese Firefighters League will not let the issue drop” and will continue “to insist” because “it is absolutely essential that Portuguese firefighters are respected.”
The 45th National Congress of the League took place in Alcobaça, with around 700 registered participants.
