Portugal Situation and Security Report Wednesday 19th April 2023

The  good news is that this years this year’s DECIR, the national operational plan concerning rural fires, will have 13,891 elements and 2,990 vehicles during the highest wildfire season which means the commitment period, between July 01 and September 30 (DECIR Level IV). This is very  welcomed representing an increase from the previous year.

In 2022, the number of responders involved in fighting fires in the same period has reached 12,917, which means that this year there are 974 more elements to fight rural fires. Regarding aircraft, the 2023 Rural Fire Fighting Special Device (DECIR) plans for up to 72 aircraft, 12 more than in previous years.

This year’s DECIR incorporates proposals formulated by experts analysing the 2022 fires as part of the process of lessons learned. The availability of resources is the highest ever, which gives
better conditions to those who fight fires in order to protect people and their property. As fires develop with often greater intensity due to the effects of climate change, the demands on fire fighters both on the ground and in the air increases, so the importance of having a national operational plan, based on lessons learned formulated by experts is paramount.

One of these is the Regional Commands, of multifaceted teams, comprising the participation of the various entities in each of the Coordination and Regional Development Commissions, so
that “when the fire exceeds a certain level of complexity, there is technical expertise capable of studying applying the best approach methodologies”.

This is something we have previously stressed at Safe Communities; firefighting is a complex task in these conditions and this is why responders are from many different entities incorporating professional experience, technical skills and using up to date technology including that which can predict the intensity and spread of fires and communicate this to
commanders on the ground.

Also welcome news is that the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests and the Special Force for the Protection Civil, which will mobilize means and expand human resources
so that they can penetrate further into the forest, maintaining the protection of people and their property”.  This type of firefighting requires specialist knowledge such as the intensity of
how various species of trees and shrubs burn in fires.

There is also going to be more emphasis on training which we have already seen in the Algarve and other regions, with various training programs and exercises being conducted. This will also
focus on training for the complexity that the fires are currently revealing due to weather conditions, with DECIR predicting “another 5,400 elements who will receive specific and more
complex training on the part of the Escola Superior de Firemen.”

During the season we will be covering the work undertaken by the various entities from the Bombeiros, to ariel fire fighters, who all work together under a civil protection framework in
accordance with the DECIR 2023.

A reminder that the deadline for land cleaning is just 11 days away! With the fire risk increasing there is little time left, so if you have yet to make a start do so asap whilst respecting, of course, the restriction of the use of garden machinery in very high or maximum fire danger conditions. We publish the risks and restrictions on out FB page each morning.

In section and enforcement action is being stepped up especially in high risk areas so please take note and appropriate action. Land cleaning helps protect properties in the event of fires so it is very important that this is undertaken.

Have a safe and enjoyable week ahead

News

GNR arrested 34 people this year for the crime of arson in
Manteigas, Guarda, 17 Apr 2023 (Lusa) – The National Republican Guard (GNR) this year detained 34 people on suspicion of forest fire crimes and signaled 13,024 infractions for lack of fuel management, said the Minister of Internal Administration today.

“This year, the GNR has already signaled 13,024 situations that could be violated due to lack of fuel management, it has already prepared 66 notices of administrative offenses for improperly
carrying out burnings and has already prepared 935 notices of news for the crime of forest fire”, said José Luís Carneiro in Manteigas, in the district of Guarda, at the public session for
the presentation of the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR 2023).

The holder of the Internal Administration portfolio also said that the GNR identified 258 defendants this year and carried out 34 arrests of people for allegedly committing crimes of fires.
The minister also said that 168 arrests were made by the GNR and the Judiciary Police in 2022, related to occurrences of forest fires. “The number of arrests doubled in 2022 compared to 2021,” he said.

Sintra: safe bathing at the weekend leading up to the official bathing season Sintra Council has created a protocol that regulates the pre-Bathing Season, guaranteeing in
view of the high temperatures, and the number of bathers who go to the beaches, adequate surveillance in the municipality at beaches at weekends and holidays. In a statement sent to the newsrooms, Sintra City Council explains that the decision comes in the wake of the high influx of users to the municipality beaches. And in order to guard against situations that endanger the safety and lives of bathers, at a time when, despite the
high temperatures, the sea still presents adverse conditions for bathing.

The lifeguards will start guarding the beaches through a protocol with the Association of Beaches of the Municipality of Sintra, including Praia da Adraga, Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs, Praia do Magoito and Praia de S.Julião.

The mayor, Basílio Horta, explains that “this is a joint effort with the concessionaires. The objective is not to open the bathing season right away, it is above all, about acting in
conscience and taking care, as far as possible, of protecting those who frequent our beaches. It is a very relevant gesture and one of great solidarity between the Chamber and the Association
of Beaches of Sintra. ”

On the beaches of Sintra, the assistance for bathers will be available, with the presence of two to three lifeguards per beach, essential elements for the safety and protection
of beach users.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 12^th April 2023

Good morning – Yesterday we published March’s climate report, the drought report for the same month and weather forecasts for the month of April leading to 7^th May.

The climate report for March showed a dryer and warmer month compared with average. The drought report showed an increase in the drought situation with parts of the south at severe drought, but nowhere near the extent of the month March 2022, where most of the mainland was at either moderate or severe drought. This was amplified by the IPMA yesterday stating that mainland Portugal is experiencing a heat wave that will only end this Tuesday and which, in some places, has lasted for 10 days.

So much for now, but what for the weeks ahead? Unfortunately the situation is not good with the forecast weather showing virtually no rain throughout April and with temperatures well above average. Whereas this may be good for tourism and visits to beaches for example, there is a major downside and that is rural fires. Reading the various announcements over the last week or so, it is clear that this year we will face many challenges which the Minister of Internal Administration has described as more complicated than last year.

It is important therefore that those who are living in rural areas, especially high risk areas, are aware of the situation, are prepared and know what action to take should a fire breaks out. Although some areas are more prone to fires it is not possible to anticipate exactly when and where they will take place. How advanced technology can certainly help and this is why it is extremely important to study the daily fire risk map together with the Fire Hazard (FWI) map which, is available on our Facebook page.

The FWI chart is most important as it gives an indicator of the ease in which fires can start and intensity in which they can potentially spread. At level 64 and above they are described as “extremely dangerous fires which are difficult to control”. This is not to frighten people, but to give communities a realistic assessment of what to expect should a fire occur in these conditions.

Apart from following the fire risk and weather conditions, it is important to complete land cleaning – time is running out and the deadline 30^th April is approaching! In the last few days fire risks have been at “very high” or maximum” in some areas which means one cannot use motorised garden equipment to clean land nor obtain “authorisation to burn cut and piled waste. If the risks remain similar then there is precious little time to complete land cleaning putting your home potentially at risk. We stress NOT to leave this to the last minute!

Going from fires to water, it has been disturbing to read of the number of drownings and sea rescue over the last week or so, which my colleague Mike Evans, has mentioned in his Algarve report today. It is disturbing to note that virtually all drownings are preventable, by understanding the risks, for example of rip currents; the presence of rocks below water level when diving of cliffs. Remember if you do get into difficulty rescuers may also be putting their lives at risk, in order to try and save you. We frequently warning people of the hazards so we ask everyone to take note and follow the advice.

For those visiting beaches and the countryside the careless discarding of glass items such as beer bottles, for example, poses not only a safety risk, but also a fire risk as well. Unfortunately beer bottles, and other glass items thrown from cars, laying along the road side, discarded on beaches posing a safety risk to people including children or left in areas used by those undertaking outdoor leisure activities. With the hot weather upon us it is important to send the following message –Please take your garbage with you or use the bins provided.

For those on holiday here this Easter please have a great stay and keep safe 

News

PJ detains 15 suspects of being part of a transnational money laundering scheme

Porto, 11 Apr 2023 (Lusa) – The Judiciary Police (PJ) today arrested 15 people from north to south of the country allegedly involved in a transnational money laundering scheme and are therefore indicted for money laundering and qualified and computer fraud, said this police force .

In a statement, the PJ said that at stake will be a money laundering scheme of a transnational nature that aims to hide, convert and integrate into the legitimate economy sums from different types of scams, the injured parties being, as a rule, national citizens.

“Victims, through deceit and conscious error, gave up sums that they transferred to third-party accounts, supposed suppliers of goods and services or credit intermediaries, which were followed by other financial movements that aimed to create a curtain over those who proceeded to the final integration in the real economy, already in third countries (Benin and Lithuania), leaving the ‘clean’ advantages for the organization”, he explained.

Likewise, added the PJ, credit cards and account transaction credentials were sent to these countries, with the organization subsequently operating from there.

Following the investigation, the PJ arrested 15 people of Portuguese nationality between 25 and 60 years old and with different occupations.

According to this police force, the suspects used this illicit activity as a way of life, having a different degree of knowledge regarding the practice of the facts given the functions they occupied in the structure of the alleged organization.

In addition to the 15 detainees, the PJ seized, within the scope of 36 house searches carried out from north to south of the country, diverse documentation, computer material, bank and telecommunications cards.

The operation, nicknamed “Do not pass cards”, involved 180 elements.

The suspects will now be present at the first judicial interrogation at the Porto Criminal Investigation Court (TIC) for the application of coercive measures.

Faro Hospital? Independent commission will analyse alleged negligence

The Chairman of the Order of Doctors reacts to reports of several cases of medical error and negligence registered at the Surgery Service of Hospital de Faro between January and March of this year.

Chairman of the Order of Doctors, Carlos Cortes, announced this Tuesday that, following the meeting held with the Minister of Health, Manuel Pizarro, a technical-scientific commission will be set up composed of “independent medical experts who will evaluate the reports” of alleged cases of medical error and negligence registered at the Surgery Service of Hospital de Faro between January and March of this year.

In the context of that meeting, “several subjects” were placed on the table”, but this was considered a “priority” topic, explained the newly elected President.

“We agreed to create a technical-scientific commission of independent medical experts who will evaluate the complaints”, elaborated Carlos Cortes, on the subject.

The announcement by the Chairman of the Order of Doctors comes after Diana Pereira de Carvalho, an internal physician at the Hospital de Faro, accused the former training supervisor and the director of the Surgery Service of the Hospital de Faro of several cases of recorded error and negligence. in that hospital unit between January and March of this year.

The mistakes were allegedly made by Diana’s former supervisor, who is a surgeon. The inmate speaks of 11 cases of negligence that she reported to the Judiciary Police, but also to the Medical Association, the Health Regulatory Entity (ERS), and the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS). But, in addition to the doctor in question, the young woman also denounced the director of the service, for not having chosen to file a complaint or remove the surgeon in question.

Following the complaints, the Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into these alleged cases of errors and negligence in the surgery service at Hospital de Faro denounced by Diana Pereira de Carvalho, as announced by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) .

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 5^th April 2023

Good morning – On Monday the Minister of Internal Administration (MAI) warned that 2023 will be “even more difficult” than 2022 in fighting forest fires, asking people and institutions to prepare.

“What I can say is that for all the indicators we have today, the year 2023 will be even more difficult than the year 2022 was”, said José Luís Carneiro to journalists adding that everyone has to do their part. “We have to prepare, we are preparing, but it is clear that the means are always limited in emergency circumstances and what we have to do is each one’s part”, he stressed.

Although some may dismiss this as a political statement, it was the same Minister who last year warned that forthcoming heatwaves would be more severe in 2022 than that of 2017 – and he was right.

What the Minister is in effect saying that there is only so much the government can do to prevent and fight fires when they occur – and since 2017 they have done a great deal. However extreme weather conditions have increased and as a result there is the potential for fires to burn with greater intensity putting larger areas at risk.

All of us in the community have a role to play. Firstly land cleaning. Remember land cleaning must be completed by 30th April 2023. Doing this will reduce the risk of a fire affecting your home. Institutions as well must carry out land cleaning close to roads and either side of power cables etc.

We all know that fire fighters and I mean by that all entities involved: Bombeiros, GNR, Forest Sappers, aircraft pilots and the civil protection special force do an incredible job, as a team, in fighting fires – BUT resources are finite and in major fires there cannot be a “fire fighter behind every tree.”  If there is a fire, therefore, knowing what steps to take before fire fighters arrive is vitally important and can save casualties.

The minister’s statement reinforces the repeated advice, since the beginning of the year, that Safe Communities Portugal has provided through: the media, Facebook, radio and through our newsletter. Be aware and be prepared!

It is important to check if you are living in a high risk area. Use this link to monitor your area’s risk:

https://www.ipma.pt/en/riscoincendio/rcm.pt/

If you are in a high risk area, we advise you to formulate a plan by having an emergency kit in case you have to leave home quickly. In such circumstances it is very important to follow the instructions of the emergency services, especially in cases of preventive evacuations. Most people underestimate the intensity of wildfires and deciding to remain at home and defend your property could be a fatal mistake!

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of those living in rural areas of understanding the risks (risk awareness) and following advice of the authorities which we promote.

With Easter approaching there will be many more tourists and with the forecasts pointing to higher temperatures over the Easter weekend there is likely to be many more people using the beaches. We wish to stress the importance therefore of beach safety especially as most beaches at this time of the year do not have lifeguards.

Be particularly aware of dangerous cliffs which are well sign posted and be on the lookout for rip currents – something we have emphasised in our Facebook posts. Please keep an eye on young children in particular and ensure they keep away from the water edge unless accompanied. Tragically over the years there have been several pool deaths in villas so please keep an eye on children and do not leave them alone near pools. Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish everyone a very Safe and Happy Easter.

News

Portuguese F-16 fighter jets intercepted Russian military aircraft in the Baltic Sea

Lisbon, 04 Apr 2023 (Lusa) – Two Portuguese F-16 fighters identified and escorted a Russian military aircraft IL-76 off the coast of Estonia, on the Baltic Sea, on Sunday, as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, announced this Monday at the Atlantic Alliance.

The Russian aircraft was flying from mainland Russia to the enclave of Kaliningrad over international waters off Estonia’s Baltic Sea coast, NATO explained in a statement posted on its website.

“Since there was no flight plan, neither was the plane in contact with air traffic control nor was it using its transponder, NATO’s Northern Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem, Germany, ordered the F-16s to be launched and confirmed the details of the unknown aircraft”, detailed the Atlantic Alliance.

The Portuguese fighters, which had the first alert output on their second day of the mission, were launched from Šiauliai, in Lithuania.

“After identifying and escorting the Russian plane, the Portuguese fighters safely returned to Šiauliai. This was a routine event,” he added.

For the commander of the Portuguese detachment, Lieutenant Colonel José Dias, quoted in the statement, the operation was a demonstration of “the excellent commitment, dedication and professionalism of all the elements that make up the detachment.”

Portugal leads the 62nd rotation of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. Four F-16s arrived early last week and assumed responsibility for protecting NATO’s regional airspace alongside the F-16s of the Romanian Air Force on March 30, the Atlantic Alliance added.

Since the accession of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2004, NATO allies have taken turns deploying an air policing capability to Šiauliai to protect the territorial integrity of the three Baltic allies in a strong demonstration of Alliance cohesion and solidarity, he added. the organization.

Submarine ‘Arpão’ leaves Tuesday for 120-day mission in the South Atlantic

Lisbon, 03 Apr 2023 (Lusa) – The Navy announced today that the  submarine ‘Arpão’ leaves Tuesday from the Lisbon Naval Base to participate in the ‘Mar Aberto’ initiative in the South Atlantic, until the beginning of August, with a crew of 35 soldiers.

In a statement, the branch details that this will be the first Portuguese submarine to carry out a mission of this type, “also being the first time that a national submarine crosses the Equator” which put “the operational logistical capacity of the Navy to the test.”

The ‘Mar Aberto 23.2’ initiative aims to “develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation actions, and naval presence and diplomacy, namely within the scope of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Coordinated Maritime Presences in the Gulf of Guinea and the ‘5+5 Defense’ Initiative ‘, with Morocco.”

“During this period, the ‘Arpão’ submarine also contributes to maritime security in an area of ​​operations located in the South Atlantic Ocean, between the coast of Brazil and the West African coast,” said the Navy.

For 120 days, the submarine will visit two continents and five countries: Cape Verde, Brazil, South Africa, Angola and Morocco, “traveling more than 13,000 miles, totaling around 2,500 hours of navigation.”

The garrison will be commanded by the frigate captain Taveira Pinto.

“The ‘Arpão’ mission will contribute to the strengthening of military and diplomatic cooperation relations between Portugal and each of the countries visited, with special focus on the celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities, which this year takes place in Africa do Sul and will be attended by His Excellency the President of the Republic,” reads the statement.

The Navy also points out that the “operational characteristics of the submarine give it the capacity to carry out discreet patrols at any time of the year and in any place, thus guaranteeing that the waters under national sovereignty or jurisdiction, or any other where its presence is required, may have an extra guarantee of navigation safety”.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 29^th March 2023

Good morning – The headlines yesterday was the knife attack at the Islamic centre in Lisbon, by a man apparently an Afghan national which left two Portuguese women, Mariana Jadaugy, 24, and Farana Sadrudin, age 49 both who worked at the centre dead and a third person, a teacher ,seriously injured. PSP arrived at the scene within one minute and immobilised the assailant by shooting him the leg, whereupon he was taken to hospital. The incident is being investigated by the Judicial Police Counterterrorism unit. Only an investigation will determine whether this was an act of terrorism and the motivation behind this. We have placed an article concerning the two victims in this report today

The prime minister addressed condolences to the families of the victims, noted the prompt intervention of the PSP and clarified that, so far, “everything indicates that it was an isolated act”, but admits that it is premature to draw conclusions and asks that the conclusions are reached by the authorities. This is as far we are aware unprecedented in Portugal.

Yesterday we reported on a major fire in the Castellón forest Valencia Region which has devastated 4,300 hectares and a perimeter of approximately 50 square kilometre since last Thursday and has forced the evacuation of 1,600 people. This is the first major fire of the year in Spain, and it is not yet clear what could have caused it. According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency, in the Valencian Community there has been an “average rainfall deficit” of 35% since October 1, 2022, with the last months being classified as “very dry”. In 2022, 493 fires destroyed a record 307,000 hectares of land in Spain.

Temperatures in the area are in the region of 30C, low humidity and difficult terrain, with much on the attack on the fire being undertaken by around 20 aircraft/helicopters – sounds familiar?

Last year during the heatwave this was often the scenario in Portugal, and as a result some of the fires in particular the Serra da Estrela fire continued for several days. When weather conditions become extreme with extremely dry vegetation resulting from drought, fires fanned by high winds can burn with great intensity. This is when they become very dangerous. The technical definition is “that a fire reaching 2000 GJ of released energy (characteristic energy of a severe and difficult to fight fire) Source IPMA.

As you may have seen in addition to the fire risk map we now publish each day the Fire Hazard Index map. This comprises six indices that quantify the effects of fuel moisture and wind on fire behaviour, and indicates the potential intensity and spread of rural fires. It is important to understand this as the more intense a fire becomes the greater the likely spread and the more difficult it becomes to bring the fire under control. In fact at a certain point the use of water from fire hoses, for example, has little effect as it evaporates before reach the flames. It is in these situations that preventive evacuations become necessary well before fires reach populated areas.

We urge everyone living in rural areas particular high risk areas link here: to follow the forecasts DAILY in order to be aware when the risk is very high as it is today in the Algarve or extreme.  Please be aware that at very high risk and above, Authorization is required to burn cut and piled waste, risk levels below this simply require prior registration.

On this theme at the Mediterranean Garden Fair in Silves last weekend we conducted a survey testing people’s awareness of rural fire awareness and preparedness, as well as actions to take in an earthquake or tsunami. The results showed that most key messages are getting through but very few were aware of the difference between “registration” and “authorization” as set out above. Generally speaking it is not wise to undertake burns when the risk is very high and people are discouraged from doing so – hence specific authorisation is required and only given after full consideration of the application and weather conditions.

In the same survey less than half were aware of the deadline for land cleaning which is 30^th April 2023.

When it came to tsunami respondents fared better, but not everyone was aware that the warning of an approaching tsunami is the sudden tide.

News

Suspect in attack at Ismaili Centre is of Afghan nationality and victims are Portuguese

Lisbon, 28 March 2023 (Lusa) – The presumed perpetrator of the attack today at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon is of Afghan nationality, while the two women killed by the alleged suspect are of Portuguese nationality, a police source told Lusa.

The victims, in their 20s and 40s, were inside the Ismaili Centre, on Avenida Lusíada, when a man entered the space with a bladed weapon.

In a statement, the PSP reported that the attack took place at 11:00 am and that it was carried out by “a man armed with a large knife”, with the PSP shooting at the suspect, who is at the Hospital de San Jose, Lisbon.

According to a communiqué from the national directorate of the PSP, the attack “with a bladed weapon” on the Ismaili center was reported to the police at 10:57 am, with the first agents who responded to the occurrence arriving at the scene a minute later.

“The police came across a man armed with a large knife. Orders were given to the attacker to cease the attack, which he disobeyed, advancing towards the policemen, with the knife in his hand”, revealed the PSP, adding that, in the face of this “serious threat”, the agents shot at the attacker, “hitting and neutralizing the aggressor”.

In a statement sent to Lusa, the president of the National Council of the Ismaili Muslim Community, Rahim Firozali, revealed that the attack took place when classes and other activities were taking place at the Ismaili Centre, but said he did not know the motivations of the man who entered the center’s premises armed with a sharp object.

At the moment, investigations by the Judiciary Police are ongoing.

The aggressor was transported to Hospital de São José (Lisbon), where he is being treated for injuries caused by the intervention of the PSP.

A source from the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) contacted by Lusa said that the alert was given at 10:53 am: “There are two dead on record and two seriously injured, one of whom was taken to the Hospital de São José and the other, by own means, to the Hospital of Santa Maria.”

In turn, a source from Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte confirmed that Hospital de Santa Maria received a man who arrived at the unit by his own means. The victim is “in his 30s” and has “slight injuries to his chest” after being stabbed.

In the note released at the end of the morning, the PSP appealed to the serenity and tranquillity of citizens, noting that “the necessary staff were mobilized for the implementation of adequate and urgent security measures”. 

Mariana and Farana – Here are the victims of the attack on the Ismaili Centre

Mariana Jadaugy, 24, and Farana Sadrudin, 49, were identified as the two fatalities in Tuesday’s attack on the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. The Portuguese women were stabbed by the Afghan man, who entered the room where the English class was taking place, armed with a large knife.

The information is advanced by CNN Portugal, which revealed that Farana was the niece of the diplomatic representative of the Ismaili Imamat in Portugal, Nazim Ahmad, and was also a representative of the Ismaili community in Madrid, in addition to having a degree in Engineering from the Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Setúbal. In addition, she was a member of the Council for Subsidies and Review and Member of the Council for Conciliation and Arbitration for Portugal in the Ismaili Community, and had worked since December 2021 at the FOCUS-Assistance Humanitarian Foundation, where she managed the process of organic integration of refugees.

In turn, Mariana had a degree in Political Sciences and International Relations from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and a master’s degree in the same area, held at the Higher Institute of Economics and Management of the University of Lisbon. The young woman worked as a volunteer at ReFood for a year, in addition to her work at FOCUS.

Both ended up dying on the spot. The attack also injured another teacher, who is in serious condition at Hospital de Santa Maria, in Lisbon. The suspect, who was arrested and shot in the lower limbs by the Public Security Police, was transported to the São José Hospital, where he underwent surgery.P