The Civil Protection Special Force (FEPC) is a task force specializing in civil protection and included in the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection’s structure. 

The FEPC’s mission is to implement preventive and response action in the event of an emergency, serious accident or disaster, as well as recovering normality in the life of the communities affected under the Integrated System of Protection and Relief Operations. It is qualified to operate on national soil or within international missions. 

It has its own structure and command and is within the ANEPC operational arrangement and depends, for operational purposes, on the National Commander for Emergency and Civil Protection. It is organized into operational units and specialized units.

The FEPC has its own headquarters with the Command’s HQ, the operations centre, the training centre, and the logistics support base located in Almeirim, Santarém district. The FEPC also has permanent bases in Canha, Estremoz, Guarda, Moura, Portalegre, Proença-a-Nova, and Sobreira Formosa. It currently has 247 operatives and a total of 505 staff members are envisaged. 

DUTIES

– Protection and relief of the population in the event of an emergency, serious accident or disaster or due to human or natural action, by carrying out prevention, response, assistance or recovery operations
– Prevent and fight wildfires
– Aerial coordination in fighting wildfires
– Search and rescue
– Response to floods and spills
– Support in operational decision of the leadership and command structures
– Operating emergency telecommunications
– Collaboration in structural prevention action
– Logistics support in civil protection operations
– Specialized and accredited training in skills relating to civil protection
– Awareness-raising and disclosure in the fields of civil protection
– Taking part in international civil protection missions.

VISION

To assert the Task Force as a benchmark civil protection body that is disciplined, organized, respected and prestigious, defining itself through the efficacy and professionalism of its interventions to protect the citizen’s legally enshrined rights and interests under protection and relief missions.

VALUES

​​– Permanently available for the mission
– Work in a multidisciplinary team
– A culture of exigency
– Quality and efficacy in the intervention
– Rigour, discipline, and professionalism
– Dedication, competence, productivity, and accountability of its firefighters
– Work ethics
– Good interpersonal relations. ​​