Latest news and stories about emergency services in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
The external paediatric surgery emergency department at Hospital Dona Estefânia in Lisbon will remain closed until Sunday at 8:00 PM. The clinical director cited a critical shortage of anaesthesiology staff as the reason for the temporary suspension of emergency surgical services.
The National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) is under scrutiny after its emergency dispatch centre, the CODU, reportedly refused to authorize hospital transport for a 55-year-old blind man. Although the CODU initially dispatched an ambulance from the Arruda dos Vinhos fire department to the Marvila area in Lisbon, it later denied the patient admission to the hospital. Firefighters proceeded to transport the man to the Hospital de São José regardless of the instruction.
INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) is Portugal's national emergency medical service, responsible for coordinating and providing pre-hospital emergency care. It operates the country's emergency medical dispatch system, activated through the European emergency number 112.
INEM deploys ambulances (including basic and advanced life support units), medical helicopters (VMER), and motorcycle response units across Portugal. It also manages the CODU (Centro de Orientação de Doentes Urgentes) — the emergency call centers that triage incoming 112 calls and dispatch the appropriate medical response.
INEM has faced persistent challenges including ambulance shortages, staffing gaps (particularly among emergency medical technicians), and long response times in rural areas. These issues have made INEM a frequent subject of political debate, with calls for better funding, improved working conditions, and expanded coverage. Residents should know that calling 112 connects to INEM's triage system, and knowing your exact location speeds up emergency response.
The CODU (Centro de Orientação de Doentes Urgentes) is the emergency medical dispatch center responsible for coordinating urgent pre-hospital care in Portugal. It operates under the National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) to assess medical emergencies and dispatch the appropriate resources, such as ambulances or helicopters.
A fire broke out Saturday afternoon in a restaurant located on Rua Morais Soares in the Arroios area of Lisbon, leading to the evacuation of the building and temporary traffic closures. Emergency services, including the Lisbon Sapador Fire Regiment (Regimento de Sapadores Bombeiros de Lisboa), extinguished the blaze by late afternoon with no injuries reported. Authorities are currently investigating the cause, which initial reports suggest may have originated from a barbecue grill.
Update: Lisbon restaurant fire extinguished with no injuries
The fire was reported at 17:04 and extinguished by 17:51, according to the Lisbon Sapador Fire Regiment. Traffic on Rua Morais Soares has since reopened, and residents evacuated from adjacent buildings were permitted to return once safety checks were completed.
The Lisbon Firefighters Regiment (Regimento de Sapadores Bombeiros de Lisboa) is the city’s professional municipal fire brigade responsible for urban firefighting, rescue and first response across the capital. Any operational problems or staff concerns at the regiment can directly affect emergency response times and public safety for people living or working in Lisbon.
Eight individuals received medical treatment for smoke inhalation following a hotel fire in Lisbon that was reported at 04:30 and successfully extinguished by 05:06.
A protest in Lisbon highlights the deteriorating state of the NHS, with a specific focus on the controversial reorganisation of emergency services.
The arrival of Depression Marta is expected to bring heavy rain to Lisbon and Setúbal, with the most concerning period being between morning and early afternoon. Areas already facing complications may experience the worst impacts as this is the third depression to hit the region in a short span of time.
Lisbon firefighters' union says the Regimento de Sapadores Bombeiros de Lisboa (RSBL) is in 'utter disarray', citing delays in promotions, organisational failures and that more than 10% of operational personnel lack proper uniforms. Staff are considering issuing a pre-strike notice as a warning that industrial action could follow if complaints over safety, logistics and career progression are not resolved. The union warns these problems undermine emergency response and public safety and is calling for urgent management and municipal intervention.
CNN Portugal spent time inside CODU, INEM’s medical call centre in Lisbon and found a centre under sustained pressure where high call volumes demand rapid, accurate triage and careful deployment of ambulances and other rescue resources. The report examines how operators prioritise calls, the protocols guiding decision-making, and the operational strain of matching limited resources to urgent needs.
A man has been remanded in custody after a 9-year-old boy died and a 14-year-old was injured when a shotgun allegedly discharged accidentally in the Bela Vista neighbourhood. Authorities say the weapon belonged to a family member; investigators remain on the scene and the case is being examined for possible criminal negligence and safety lapses, prompting questions about firearm storage and emergency response protocols.
The PSP (Public Security Police) have identified around 30 people after shots were fired with prohibited weapons in Lisbon. A targeted operation — involving Rapid Intervention Teams and Traffic Division units — ran from 22:00 Friday to 02:00 Saturday; no incidents were recorded and no arrests were made. Enquiries and investigations remain ongoing as police follow up on those linked to the discharges.
The journey took place during the early hours of this Saturday. The baby required specialised medical care.
Train services on lines 1 and 2 were suspended, with the situation returning to normal from 17:00. 15 personnel and four vehicles from the fire department were on the scene.
11 emergency personnel are on site, supported by four fire brigade vehicles.
It was one of the “critical” situations during the blackout: the Alfredo da Costa Maternity Hospital in Lisbon had five hours of autonomy and, as the day went on, government drivers were sent to deliver fuel to the unit, though it was not needed. ULS São José assures RTP Antena 1 that all hospitals are now holding up for a day. Meanwhile, the SNS Executive Board has not clarified what reinforcements were made across all hospitals.
The CODU dispatched emergency services from the Arruda dos Vinhos Fire Department to Lisbon, but ultimately refused transport to the hospital.
I know it is not easy to accept this, but the emergency system does not exist to respond to our anxiety. The system was created to respond to the severity of situations. A column by Carmen Garcia.
Changes in patient transport lead firefighters to sign an agreement with INEM. The municipality promises to pay in May.
A young girl's cardiac arrest forced Ajuda firefighters to transport her. INEM states that prior contact should have been made.
The Airbus A321 was heading towards Frankfurt, Germany.
Traffic on the 25 de Abril Bridge, heading south to north, was restored at 16:25 following a three-vehicle collision that left five people injured, according to Civil Protection. Four people were taken to Hospital São Francisco Xavier with minor injuries, while one was treated on-site. The bridge was completely closed in the Almada-Lisbon direction following the accident at 15:00 on Sunday. The incident caused significant delays, affecting the Sport Lisboa e Benfica team's travel from Seixal to the Estádio de Alvalade for the Lisbon derby. The team was forced to reroute via the Vasco da Gama Bridge, leading to a 15-minute delay in the match kick-off.
An accident involving three cars forced the closure of traffic towards Lisbon on the Tagus river crossing. Circulation was restored at 16:25.
The President of the Republic is meeting with all social partners, including the CGTP, which had been excluded from negotiations. Additionally, the Government promises to find a solution for the INEM's debts to the fire departments.
Cristina Vaz Tomé says she was not informed about the strike notices and only learned of the stoppage when she arrived in Lisbon, by which time it was already underway. Her statements were contested by the PS, Chega, and IL.
At issue is a recommendation by the PS for the creation of permanent intervention teams (EIP) within Lisbon's volunteer fire brigades.
The Socialist Party (PS) sent a query to the Luís Montenegro government on Tuesday, April 14, expressing concerns regarding the creation of the Integrated Prevention and Operations Command (CIPO). This temporary joint team, coordinated by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection, will operate in the Centre and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions until at least May 31. While the PS welcomes the inclusion of the Armed Forces in rural fire prevention, they warn that adding another temporary structure raises questions about the stability and legal compliance of the current model. The PS argues that the existing Integrated Operations for Protection and Relief System (SIOPS) already includes coordination mechanisms, and they fear a potential overlap of duties and a risk of disjointed command chains. The party is urging Interior Minister Luís Neves to establish a permanent, integrated model that ensures the Armed Forces' contribution is structural rather than merely temporary, while also addressing the need for social support following recent severe weather damage.
At issue is a recommendation from the PS for the creation of Permanent Intervention Teams (EIP) within Lisbon's volunteer fire departments, a proposal scheduled to be discussed this Tuesday at the Lisbon Municipal Assembly meeting.
Campo de Ourique, Belém, Campolide, Bairro Padre Cruz, Bairro da Boavista, and Parque das Nações were identified as priorities. The works will be carried out by the Lisbon City Council by the end of the year.
