Portugal has been using, since 2018, a public warning system based on sending Short Message Service (SMS) texts enabling texts to be sent to citizens who are in the geographical locations that are prone to a serious accident or catastrophe. The legal basis for this system is Decree-Law No. 2/2019 of January 11, which established the National System for Risk Monitoring and Communication, Special Alert, and Public Warning. The decision to issue civil protection warnings on a national level is up to the National Operation Coordination Centre (NOCC) and they are sent to the public that is bound to be potentially affected by a serious accident or catastrophe in order to provide information on the concerned event and the adopted measures to protect themselves.

For instance, if following a decision made by the NOCC, the maximum level of alertness and mobilisation of structures, forces, and protection and emergency units is activated, ANEPC will issue a text warning to the public to inform the citizens on the extreme risk concerned.

The warning text is issued with AvisoPROCIV as the sender and includes a reference to an ANEPC phone number, which citizens may call in order to have their questions answered if they feel the need. These texts are free of charge and do not require a membership.

WHY IS IT SENT?

• The issue of text warnings to the public is an exceptional procedure sent as not to wither away the impact of a message to citizens. Thus, ANEPC normally favours the use of other channels to warn the public (for instance, its own communication channels and press releases) as well as local warning networks, which are formed in every municipality and operate under the coordination of the concerned Municipal Civil Protection Services.
• However, in some cases, a text warning is sent to provide citizens with information on a given situation of extreme risk and what measures they can adopt to protect themselves.

WHERE IS IT SENT?

• The text warning is sent to the geographical area covered by the risk. When situations occur that may justify sending a text warning, ANEPC will ask mobile operators to send the text to all equipment located in the concerned geographical area.
• Text warnings are not based on any distribution lists owned by ANEPC. This Authority is also not aware of any information relating to the text recipients.

WHO SENDS IT?

• The warning is sent to mobile operators at the request of ANEPC.
• The sender of these texts will ALWAYS appear as AvisoPROCIV and all texts coming from other senders derived from that indicated above ought to be ignored.
• The text contents are entirely produced by ANEPC and not at all changed or modified by the mobile operators.

WHO RECEIVES THE TEXT?

• Whoever is in the geographical area covered or nearby at the time ANEPC asks the mobile operators to issue the warning will receive the text message.
• Whoever is not in the covered districts or nearby at the time the request for the warning text is issued will not receive the text message.
• Clients of foreign mobile operators (citizens in roaming) are included in these texts, for which cases a text will be issued in English and in Portuguese.

HOW IS IT CARRIED OUT?

• The text is sent simultaneously to all recipients, for which reason it is normal for there to be a time gap between the first and last clients contacted.
• The text will include a reference to a phone number that citizens may call to have their questions answered.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

• This system is free of charge for users.
• The system does not require users to join.

CAN IT BE DEACTIVATED?

• The issue of warning texts is of an absolutely exceptional nature, for which reason although it may be deactivated, that is not recommended.
• Notwithstanding, the right to object to receiving this type of text is established. For such, you must request the deactivation of warning texts from ANEPC by sending the form available for this purpose to e-mail address geral@prociv.pt

The issue of warning texts is funded by: