Yesterday, 15th December, the Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) presented the Protection and Relief Joint Operations Instrument at Torre (Serra da Estrela), an instrument that will act in response to emergency situations along the mountain range (Maciço Central).   Due to its unique characteristics, Serra da Estrela is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Continental Portugal, attracting thousands of people every year, especially during the winter.   Taking into account this influx of visitors, ANEPC plans and operates a specific joint instrument, every year, that ensures an efficient and effective response in terms of protection and relief, working under the guidance of National Operations Plan for Serra da Estrela (Plano de Operações Nacional da Serra da Estrela - PONSE).   This instrument includes the Fire Departments of Covilhã, Seia, Manteigas, Gouveia, Loriga and São Romão, the Mountain Rescue Group, ANEPC’s Civil Protection Special Force (FEPC), the National Republican Guard’s Protection and Relief Emergency Unit (UEPS), the National Institute of Medical Emergency, and other forces and means qualified to undertake protection and relief missions made available by bodies with a special duty to collaborate.   The instrument will operate between December and April, counting on 18 operatives every day during the week, and 32 at the weekend when there is a higher influx of visitors.   The presentation session was attended by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, Patrícia Gaspar, the President of ANEPC, Duarte da Costa, the National Commander for Civil Protection and Emergency, André Fernandes, and other representatives of different bodies that are part of the national civil protection system and, therefore, of this Instrument.   The Sub-regional Commander for Civil Protection and Emergency of the Beiras and Serra da Estrela region, António Fonseca, conducted the presentation.

The Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), following the decision to increase the alert level, issued an SMS warning to the population, in order to inform citizens about the risk situation caused by heavy rain and strong winds. The SMS warning message includes a reference to an ANEPC contact telephone number (+351 214 247 247, available until Friday midnight), through which citizens can clarify any question they might have. The SMS has no costs for the user and does not require any subscription.   More information here.

The Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) issued an SMS warning to the population in the districts of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo and Algarve region, in order to inform citizens about the risk situation of floods. The SMS warning message includes a reference to an ANEPC contact telephone number (+351 214 247 247, available until Thursday midnight), through which citizens can clarify any question they might have. The SMS has no costs for the user and does not require any subscription.   More information here.

The Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), following the decision to increase the alert level, issued an SMS warning to the population located in all districts of Portugal mainland, in order to inform citizens about the risk situation caused by heavy rain and strong winds.   The SMS warning message includes a reference to an ANEPC contact telephone number (+351 214 247 247, available until Wednesday midnight), through which citizens can clarify any question they might have.   The SMS has no costs for the user and does not require any subscription. More information here.

The Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region was the winner of the 2nd edition of the Award for Good Local Practices for Promoting Resilience, an initiative promoted by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, within the framework of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection. The purpose of the Award is to publicly recognize initiatives, considered good practices, developed by parishes, municipalities or inter-municipal entities, which encourage citizens' preparation and participation in increasing resilience in the face of serious accidents and catastrophes.   The Jury recognized the innovative nature of the project “Integrated Natural and/or Technological Risk Management System of the Aveiro Region (SEGURA)”, promoted by the Intermunicipal Community of the Aveiro Region, particularly regarding the application of new interoperable and replicable technologies with a view to to speed up access to information and better train the SEGURA Platform's main target audience, civil protection agents, consequently creating greater resilience in the Aveiro Region.

The Portuguese National Coordination Center declared the “red alert” for the National Mechanism for Rural Fire Fighting Operations (a “red alert” represents the maximum level of readiness and mobilization of civil protection forces and relief units). Therefore the Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) issued a public warning via SMS to the population of Portugal mainland, in order to inform about an extreme risk situation related to rural fires. The SMS warning message includes a reference to an ANEPC contact telephone number (+351 214 247 247), through which citizens can clarify any question they might have. The SMS has no costs for the user and does not require any subscription. More information here.