Latest news and stories about civil protection in health in Portugal for expats and residents.
An analytical investigation examining Portugal's disaster preparedness, emergency response infrastructure, and public safety readiness for future catastrophes.
Civil Protection director José Manuel Moura has ruled out any illegality in the ad-hoc reinforcement of eight ambulances organised by the Portuguese Firefighters' League over the weekend. After meetings with INEM and the Firefighters' League, Moura attributed the dispute to a communication failure by the League and said the situation created a misunderstanding that must not recur. He insisted that ANEPC (Civil Protection) should be formally involved in future emergency operations to ensure coordination and public safety.
The school community requested the suspension of work that began on Monday in the old building. Civil Protection and the DGS gave contradictory signals regarding the risks.
The fires of the last few hours have already left nine people injured, who were taken to hospital, two of whom are in serious condition, both civilians, one following a fall and the other from burns. In total, there have already been 24 people assisted.
DGS recommends that municipalities consider including specific actions for extreme temperatures in their Municipal Emergency and Civil Protection Plans.
Two Portuguese planes carrying 64 people will depart this Friday to assist victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela. The teams include GNR search and rescue units with dogs, sapper firefighters, INEM medical teams, and Civil Protection personnel.
The multidisciplinary team includes firefighters, civil protection staff, and a doctor. The mission is estimated to last 12 days, but the departure date has not yet been announced.
Preparing for conflicts does not just mean investing in military defence. It also means investing in civil protection, emergency planning, and the resilience of health systems. Opinion by Tiago Correia.
Civil Protection has placed almost the entire mainland on special readiness level 3 until midnight tomorrow.
Associations insist on creating a single command structure and say the Framework Law on Civil Protection “should be approved before the Framework Law on Health”, reminding that they are the ones “on the front line”.
After meeting with INEM and the Portuguese Firefighters' League, Civil Protection denies any illegality in the task force of eight ambulances from several fire brigades that over the weekend decided to bolster the emergency response system.
Commander Paulo Santos also says that the volunteer firefighters “gave a sign that, when they want, things get done”.
Health policy expert Rui Nunes believes Portugal has 'a good health system and excellent professionals', but that 'care integration and coordination simply do not work'. Regarding doubts raised by Civil Protection about the 'legality' of the support task force for INEM carried out by the firefighters, he says it is not 'appropriate to call into question an attempt at a solution to save lives'.
The Firefighters' League created a task force to bolster emergency assistance and support INEM in response to the current strain on emergency medical services. However, Civil Protection has called an emergency meeting, claiming the measure has no legal basis. On CNN Portugal, António Nunes, president of the Portuguese Firefighters' League, answers the accusations.
The president of the Portuguese Firefighters' League (LBP) rejected suggestions that the ambulance task force, set up to bolster support, is 'illegal' and expressed regret over statements from Civil Protection, which said today it will open an investigation into the operation.
The national Civil Protection authority has opened an inquiry regarding measures to reinforce ambulance services. The leader of the Firefighters' League criticises the move, saying there has been insufficient dialogue.
The institution says the ambulance reinforcement created by the LBP “appears to violate the principles and premises of the integrated protection and rescue system”.
Ambulances are pre-positioned in Lumiar, Lisbon, to respond to any eventuality. The decision is causing unease within the Civil Protection system.
