“The challenge ahead is clear. The path to more effective civil protection is achieved through dialogue and cooperation,” stated Mário Silvestre during the swearing-in ceremony held today at the headquarters of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) in Carnaxide, Oeiras.
Mário Silvestre replaces André Fernandes as the national commander of emergency and civil protection, following Fernandes’ resignation last Friday.
On the first day of his term, Silvestre urged cooperation to “enhance the country’s resilience and ensure a safer future.”
“The effectiveness of our work depends on the ability of all participants to speak the same language, share real-time information, and coordinate as a unified body serving the population,” he emphasized.
Mário Jorge Henriques Silvestre, aged 51, has been the deputy national commander of emergency and civil protection since May 2024.
According to the Ministry of Internal Administration, his appointment was made by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Paulo Simões Ribeiro, upon the proposal of ANEPC President José Manuel Moura.
José Manuel Ribeiro, currently the regional commander of Emergency and Civil Protection for Alentejo, has been appointed as the deputy commander of ANEPC.
Holding a master’s degree in risks and civil protection, Mário Silvestre has completed various training courses within the framework of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. He has served as the national operations adjunct of the national emergency and civil protection command, the District Operational Commander of Santarém, and the Commander of the Municipal Firefighters of Cartaxo.
