Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 22^nd May 2024

 

Good morning. Anything that helps in improving the forecasting rural fires is good news! So we therefore welcome the IPMA’s announcement yesterday that they have reinforced its meteorological device for the rural fire season of 2024, with the entry into operation of two new double polarized weather radars and two new meteorological stations installed in Coruche and Loulé and also, 2 new ray detectors installed in Olhão and in Viana do Castelo.

This equipment will make it possible to improve the surveillance and overall forecasting of rural fire danger and local weather conditions on the fire front, particularly during pyro cumulus cloud formation and potential ignitions generated by electrical discharges.

Added to that radar information operation terminals have also been installed at Faro, Cascais, Lisbon and Porto Airports which serve as workstations complementary to the national forest fire monitoring system – and in addition to the Operational Centre at IPMA headquarters – a closer support at the theatres of operation.

In the presentation of DECIR (the operational rural fire plan for this year) for this year, the president of ANEPC highlighted that this “is a collective effort of the operatives” who are part of it, but also of all citizens, as everyone, “within the scope of active citizenship”, are “truly, civil protection agents”. This is an important statement, in effect reminding us all that everyone has a roll to play in preventing fires.

Emphasising this further Duarte da Costa added that “the critical success factors of this system are prevention and awareness campaigns”, stressing that “the fire campaign is not won through fighting, but through prevention”.

In this regard, he listed the “permanent monitoring of risk assessments and their impact on the territory, pre-positioning and preventive mobilization of means and resources” and “early detection, as early as possible, supported by an increasingly broad collaborative approach to surveillance and all technical surveillance capabilities”.

The above has to be the priority because if we everyone has greater awareness and are more prepared, then the number of ignitions will be reduced. With weather conditions becoming more extreme with extended periods in some areas with very little or no rain, when fires do start then the potential is that they will burn with greater intensity and cover larger areas. When these reach extreme/critical levels this means that it becomes difficult if not impossible for fires to be suppressed by traditional means of fire-fighting, and it relies on the timely arrival of rain, reduction of winds, or other changes of weather to bring such fires to a conclusion – a frightening thought!  This is a reason which mega-fires can burn for extended periods covering several days or even weeks which we have seen in Australia, USA and Canada for example.

As we did in 2022 and 2023 we will be sharing fire danger and risk forecasts, with explanations on a daily basis – please read these so you can be prepared.

Have a good week ahead.

 

News

Reporting desk wants to give visibility to the problems of immigrants and refugees,

Lisbon, May 21, 2024 (Lusa) – A reporting desk for immigrants and refugees opens today on the internet, aimed at reporting problems and abuses in order to give visibility to the most serious situations.

“We have felt the need for this project for some time, because we have come into contact with some situations, some occurrences among the migrant and refugee population in Portugal, which they do not find answers at the level of structures”, Raul Manarte, from the Humans Before collective, told Lusa Borders (HuBB), which is part of the project.

The objective of the project, which also includes groups of migrants and refugees and students from the Porto Higher Education School, is therefore to “increase the social visibility” of the problems among the population and the media, he added.

Each “refugee can leave their complaint, their account of what happened” and the “main objective is to compile this information and process it in an assertive way so that it can be accessible” to anyone who is interested.

The quantitative data “will be public” and the information will be anonymous, but individual reports will be made available on a case-by-case basis to the authorities or to anyone who has the right to request them.

The portal address – balcaodenuncia.pt – will be published on the social media pages of the associations that organize the project and the form will be accessible in Portuguese, English, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu, Ukrainian and Nepali.

The project, the promoters maintain, “intends to overcome accessibility barriers and collect, compile and disseminate occurrences of abuse, mistreatment, neglect or general non-compliance through online reports”.

The desk wants to “compile the complaints received and transform them into public data” through social networks and collaboration with the media, to allow “civil society to have a more accurate vision of the difficulties that the migrant and refugee population experiences in Portugal”.

Furthermore, this data “could be used in civic action campaigns, pressuring structures or decision-makers to take concrete steps that allow the reduction or eradication of verified occurrences”, say the promoters.

“In parallel, an exhibition will be opened in Póvoa de Varzim, with a portrait of 12 migrants and refugees here in Portugal, who are also co-creators of this counter”, explained Raul Manarte.

The exhibition “Us and Them”, consisting of portraits of migrants and refugees in Portugal, to be opened at the Municipal Archives.

The Website, in Portuguese and English, was formed today and is at: http://balcaodenuncia.pt/

 

More than 51 thousand hospitalized patients in 2023 were at nutritional risk

 

 

Lisbon, May 20, 2024 (Lusa) – More than 51 thousand hospitalized patients in 2023 were at nutritional risk, that is, 28% of patients screened, and less than half (48%) were intervened in the first 24 hours after being signalled, data from the Directorate-General for Health.

The data is contained in the Annual Report of the National Program for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (PNPAS) 2023 of the DGS, released today, which monitors nutritional risk, that is, the risk of morbidity and mortality due to nutritional status, in hospitals of the National Health Service ( SNS).

Of the 181,019 hospitalized patients who underwent nutritional screening last year, 51,238 (28.3%) were at nutritional risk, says the report, adding that the average percentage of patients assessed was 31.2% in 2023, from 29.2% in 2022 and 27.4% in 2021.

According to the data, around 48% of patients at nutritional risk underwent nutritional intervention in the first 24 hours after the warning and 69.4% of adult patients at nutritional risk underwent nutritional intervention.

Commenting on these data to the Lusa agency, the director of PNPAS, Maria João Gregório, stated that the percentage of patients identified as being at nutritional risk (28.3%) is consistent with what is described in the studies.

The nutritionist explained that malnutrition is often associated with the disease.

On the other hand, he stated, “a large percentage of the hospital population is elderly and malnutrition is also more prevalent in these population groups and, therefore, these numbers are more or less in line with what is described in the literature”.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 15^th May 2024

 

Good morning. Yesterday I had the pleasure in participating in Regional Exercise – DECIRALG’24. This is the preparation phase of #DECIR24, powered by the Algarve Regional Command, of the Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil (ANEPC) which culminates with the usual final exercise – DECIRALG’24. This involved around 400 elements, from the different Civil Protection Services and Agents and other entities, co-operators, including 176 firefighters from the region and Safe Communities Portugal (as a Civil Protection Volunteer organisation).

With a very high fire risk in the Algarve yesterday, the possibility existed of a real fire, which came about towards the end of the exercise near Quinta das Alfambras, in the parish of Bordeira, in Aljezur. This forced the evacuation of a motorhome park Parque de campismo Francelos, in the area of the Espinhaço de Cão wind farm. It was one of the largest fires of the year in terms of deployment, involving 115 operatives. Fire now under vigilance stage.

Today Forest firefighting resources will be reinforced, with 11,293 operational resources and 34 aerial resources on the ground, according to the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR). The next reinforcement stage begins on the 1^St June. In discussion with many different entities participating in the DECIRALG’24 Exercise there appears to be a general consensus, that this could be a challenging year in the Algarve as far as fires are concerned, with very dry condition and high temperatures. It is extremely important therefore that everyone is vigilant and is prepared.

Around 5 days ago we posted a reminder about the dangers of Rip Currents. It seems to have had a very positive impact reaching over a quarter of million people and being shared nearly one thousand times! This an excellent response showing the importance of getting public safety messages across.

As the weather is becoming warmer and if heading for the beach, it is important  to know how to spot a rip current. Unfortunately, it’s where it looks easiest and safest to enter the sea. This is because the rip current is looping around and pulling back out. Hence no waves rolling-in. NEVER enter the sea here.  If you are already in the sea and get caught in a rip current (you’ll know because you will suddenly be moved from your location and it will be impossible to swim against it) don’t panic. Swim ACROSS, not against the rip current. For example, rather than trying to swim to shore while being pushed out, swim parallel to the beach and you will be able to get out. Then you can swim ashore.

Please educate friends or family visiting the beaches this summer. Stay safe. Here is a link to a Youtube video that shows the full extent of a rip current. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuAlDTC_gIQ

Lastly a reminder that land cleaning must be completed by 31st May. If this includes the burning of cut and piled waste, due to the current very high fire risk in the Algarve, you will need to choose your day where the risk in your municipality is lower.

With that have a safe week ahead.

News

Government follows CTI recommendation and chooses Alcochete for new airport

Lisbon, May 14, 2024 (Lusa) – The Government today approved the construction of the new airport in the Lisbon region in Alcochete, following the recommendation of the Independent Technical Commission (CTI), announced the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.

“The Government decided to approve the development of the new Lisbon airport with a view to fully replacing Humberto Delgado Airport at the Alcochete shooting range and giving it the name Luís de Camões Airport”, announced Luís Montenegro, in a statement to the country, after an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers this afternoon.

On March 11, the CTI published the final report of the strategic environmental assessment of the new airport, maintaining the recommendation of a single solution in Alcochete, the most advantageous, or Vendas Novas, also pointing out that Humberto Delgado + Santarém could be a transitional solution.

The PSD decided to set up an internal working group to analyze the location of the new Lisbon airport, after agreeing with the PS to set up a CTI to carry out the strategic environmental assessment.

The social democratic president, Luís Montenegro, guaranteed, before being elected, that the decision would be taken “in the first days” of government.

The Government explained today that the Alcochete Shooting Range has the advantage of being located entirely on public land, while Vendas Novas requires expropriations, representing additional burden and allows, in the future, to grow from two to four lanes, if necessary.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, who spoke after the Prime Minister, also recalled that Alcochete already had an Environmental Impact Declaration approved, which is currently expired, and that it is closer to Lisbon, compared to Vendas Novas, requiring less time and travel costs.

The Government also pointed out as an advantage the proximity of Alcochete to the main roads and railways, which allows traffic to be decentralized in the center of Lisbon.

The Government’s rationale for the decision also included the possibility of accommodating TAP’s expansion plans, which have preliminary projections of 190-250 aircraft in 2050, and dual solutions could jeopardize the sustainability of the ‘hub’ (airport platform). flight distribution).

 

Forest firefighting resources reinforced from today

Lisbon, May 15, 2024 (Lusa) – Forest firefighting resources will be reinforced from today, with 11,293 operational resources and 34 aerial resources on the ground, according to the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR).

This device will be on the ground between today and May 31st, and it is the first reinforcement of resources of the year, at what is called ‘Bravo level’.

During this period, 11,293 operatives will be available, forming part of 2,517 teams of various agents present on the ground, in addition to aerial assets, of which there will be a maximum of 34.

The 11,293 operatives from the 2,517 teams involved in DECIR over the next two weeks are elements belonging to the volunteer firefighters, Special Civil Protection Force, military personnel from the National Republican Guard and elements from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, namely forestry sappers and forestry firefighters. .

Compared to the same period last year, 893 more operational personnel and an identical number of aerial assets are involved in DECIR.

Firefighting resources will be reinforced again on June 1st, but it is between July and September, considered the most critical phase, the period in which the largest resources are mobilized, with 14,155 operational personnel from 3,162 teams and 3,173 vehicles available this year. a slight increase compared to 2023.

However, the season considered most critical for rural fires will feature 70 aerial resources this year, two fewer than in 2023, with the resources that will not be available at DECIR being two ‘Canadair’ planes due to difficulties in the market.

The Air Force guarantees that the 70 aerial assets for this year are all contracted.

This year, the approval and presentation of DECIR took place almost simultaneously with the first increase in resources of the year.

On Tuesday, when the device was presented, the president of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Duarte da Costa, considered that the DECIR for 2024 is “stable and robust”.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 8^th May 2024

Good morning. The dismissal chief superintendent José Barros Correia as National Director of the PSP is being received with great surprise and concern by police unions. Appointed less than a year ago, Barros Correia’s dismissal took the various PSP union structures by surprise. Seen as “close to the police”, “fair” and “truly concerned” about his men, having even supported the fight for the mission supplement, the chief superintendent has already explained, in an internal letter, that his departure is due to the “exclusive initiative” by the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco.

José Barros Correia will be replaced by Superintendent Luís Carrilho, commander of the Special Police Unit since October 2023. The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) states that “this appointment decision comes within the scope of the operational restructuring of the PSP, whether in terms of nationally, as well as in terms of institutional and international representation of this public security force”.

José Barros Correia, appointed by the previous socialist Government in September 2023 to the position of National Director of the Public Security Police, made the position available after the change of Government and ended up being dismissed this Monday. Minister Margarida Blasco’s decision surprised everyone including the PSP unions the feeling being one of incomprehension. Interesting although there appears to be no questions concerning Luís Carrilho’s suitability, it is interesting to note that he is a superintendent in rank, junior to several chief superintendents serving in the PSP. We look forward to and further explanation of the national director only in the post 8 months.

The decision to defer the deadline for land cleaning has been generally welcomed. The decision is related to the rainfall recorded in recent months and the high water content in the soil, which affected many of the fuel management operations and encouraged the rapid growth of vegetation in the areas already cleaned.

Also according to the Government, weather forecasts indicate that, in May, appropriate conditions will be maintained for the safe carrying out of fuel management activities and that, therefore, this additional period will allow operations to be carried out in all necessary locations.

Vegetation management within the scope of the secondary network of fuel management bands constitutes one of the pillars of the integrated rural fire management policy, especially in the area of ​​protection against rural fires – ensuring greater effectiveness in defending people, animals and property against the spread of fires –, as well as in terms of rural fire management”, allowing the mitigation of the annual number of occurrences.

Care will however need to be taken concerning the burning of cut and piled waste, as the fire risk is becoming higher and conditions may therefore not be suitable for such burns. We advise those who are undertaking land cleaning involving the burning of waste to do this sooner rather than later, having obtained the necessary authorisation/registration and following safety advice. More on this subject can be found here. https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/fire-prevention-and-protection/land-cleaning-protection/

Our team wish you a good and safe week ahead. 

News

Inspectorate received 1,436 complaints against police actions and PSP is most targeted

Lisbon, May 7, 2024 (Lusa) – The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) received 1,436 complaints against the actions of security forces last year, the same number as in 2022, with the PSP being the police most targeted.

Data from the body that oversees police activity, to which the Lusa agency had access, show that between 2017 and 2022 the number of complaints increased, having doubled in six years from 772 to 1,436, however last year the complaints were the same as those in 2022.

According to IGAI, the PSP is the security force with the highest number of complaints, having received 616 reports against the actions of Public Security Police agents in 2023, followed by the Republican National Guard, with 412, and the former Foreigners and Borders Service, with 163.

Most of the complaints that reached the IGAI in 2023 were complaints filed by citizens, totalling 753, with 263 reports from judicial entities, 192 from the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services and 11 from private and public entities.

According to IGAI, almost half (43%) of the complaints against the performance of security forces were related to the violation of duties of conduct (incorrect procedures or behaviour), with a total of 608 complaints filed, of which 276 were directed to elements from the PSP, 175 to GNR military personnel and 140 to inspectors from the former SEF, which was abolished on October 29, 2023.

Offenses to physical integrity (assault) were the second most common type of complaint filed in 2023, corresponding to 24.3% of the total number of reports against the actions of the police (349), followed by matters of an internal or professional nature, 72 complaints.

IGAI also received 23 complaints last year related to discriminatory practices, eight of which against PSP agents, nine more than in 2022.

The body led by judge Anabela Cabral Ferreira highlights that there was no record last year of “illegal arrests” and only one situation of “death” at the hands of the police.

The IGAI, supervised by the Ministry of Internal Administration, also indicates that in 2023, 1,436 administrative processes were initiated (total complaints), which, together with those carried over from the previous year, 1,855 processes were processed and 1,547 were concluded and four were converted into processes of a disciplinary.

IGAI’s mission is to carry out audits, inspections and supervision of all entities, services and bodies supervised by MAI.

AIMA target of complaints (also) from immigrants

The body that replaced the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) continues to be the target of many complaints from immigrants. The Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration is unable

Complaints from immigrants continue about the work of the Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration (AIMA). The queues at citizen stores bring together dozens of people even before the doors open.

Maansoor is an immigrant who has been queuing at the Saldanha store in Lisbon since midnight to try to renew his driving license, which is mandatory for his job as a driver, but has not yet received any answers.

“They always say to wait, wait and now I have no work because I don’t have a card. I came here at midnight” and “no one says anything, no one helps, it’s very complicated.”

Immigrants waiting in line explain that they are unable to resolve anything online due to a lack of documents, such as their Citizen Card.

“I can’t renew online because the system doesn’t allow access with the residence permit, passport or other documentation, in the case of immigrants”, says Miguel.

Despite immigrants trying their luck, they have not been successful so far.

“AIMA tells us to make the appointment via IRN , IRN sends us to AIMA and no one knows what it does (…) I have a document expiring on the eighth day and I can’t renew it”, says Renato Santos, another immigrant.

The Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration emerged after the extinction of the SEF, in October last year.

Immigrants have protested the delays in issuing residence cards or validating driving licenses, documents that, if missing, can lead to dismissal.

“There are many people waiting, we understand that, but as the number of people increases, the number of people to be served should also increase because we have been contributing to the country since we arrived here”, says an immigrant.

The Government has not yet specified what it will do with AIMA, but in the past, the PSD voted against the creation of the agency and SIC knows that a possible replacement is on the table.

Firefighters present a package of demands to the Government for the sector

Lisbon, May 6, 2024 (Lusa) – The League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP) today presented to the Government a list of demands, which includes support for training, creation of its own statute, qualification of the volunteer firefighter’s career or fiscal support for companies that help corporations.

Speaking to Lusa after a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Administration, the president of the LBP expressed satisfaction with the MIA’son, and a series of technical meetings are now planned to discuss the demands list point by point.

“The meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the minister and the secretaries of State, was the opportunity that the firefighters had to present a set of concerns that have to do with the financial insufficiency of our humanitarian associations, with the issue of career for our firefighters, with employment contracts, with the issue of the social status of the firefighter and the association leader and also the lack of a national fire command”, explained the LBP leader.

As for the device to combat rural fires, this topic will be discussed with the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, stated António Nunes.

“Some of the proposals we have budgetary implications and will naturally be subject to greater scrutiny when holding preparatory meetings for the State budget for next year”, explained the director.

Only in this context “will we be able to see funds allocated” or even “changes with regard to the IRS, IRC or TSU that have to do with support for companies and firefighters”

These issues “cannot be resolved immediately”, admitted António Nunes, stating that “the League has always been at the forefront of defending firefighters because it is not just an employer organization” and “represents associations and fire departments”.

The person in charge maintained that, in volunteer fire departments, the first person responsible for the firefighters is the commander.

“We can only have active fire departments with the operational capacity to be involved in the defence of their populations” if “they have the necessary and sufficient means for their mission”, which also includes the financing of salaries, with “a status dignity and a career,” he said.

The global strategic motion of the current LBP management is the “defence of a salary scale for a remunerative career for firefighters”, recalled António Nunes, highlighting that this is a promise from the Government that dates back to 2007.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 1^st May 2024

Good morning everyone. We start the day with some good news, that the 75 year old Dutch national who suffers from dementia has been found alive have gone missing in Albufeira on Monday. What is also good is the way that his family based in the Netherlands managed to mobilize support through Facebook with several thousand messages of support and volunteering to take part in efforts to try and locate him. This shows social media at its best – a story with a happy ending. We were in contact with the family providing advice as necessary.

Another item of good news is the excellent response to our Natural Hazard Prepared Survey, with the numbers of those of you who completed and submitted on-line questionnaires exceeding expectations. We are about to close the fact finding phase, so if you have yet to complete the survey please do so now. As we said we will analyse the results which will be published with a copy sent to the ANEPC.

As a resident of Portugal, we are exposed to the risk not only of wildfires, but also earthquakes, extreme temperatures, cyclones, tsunamis and other natural hazards. These can have disastrous effects, causing massive losses and damage. We are working together to minimize the impacts of these risks, and help build more resilient societies, so it is important that the local population is aware and involved in disaster risk management. The link to undertake this short survey is here.

https://forms.gle/aaZQCCkL9Xf53Dgo9

A reminder that land cleaning deadline was yesterday 30^th April despite demands by the National Federation of Forest Owners Associations (FNAPF) to postpone this to the end of May or end of June, as the current deadline “is not feasible” due to weather conditions.”  Although the deadline is now finished all efforts to clean land by those in rural areas (especially high risk areas) should continue. On the 1st of May the GNR start the monitoring phase, so don’t risk having to pay a fines! It is better to have made start rather than not starting at all.

Yesterday the president of the European Blue Flag Association supported the extension of the official bathing surveillance period, considering that ideally it should cover all weekends with good weather, in order to reduce the number of accidents. He said: “Ideally, if we had every weekend [with good weather], at least the bathing areas were monitored, we would certainly drastically reduce the number of accidents”, said José Archer, on the side lines of the presentation of beaches, marinas and boats with Blue Flag this year, a ceremony that took place in Oeiras, in the district of Lisbon.

The problem is the “difficulty with labour”, referring to the lack of lifeguards. In some regions of the country, it is very difficult, even during the bathing season, to have a supply of lifeguards qualified for this position”. The official also recalled that beaches with a blue flag “must have surveillance” and that the criteria nowadays “are very strict”, which allows in terms of results “to have practically zero fatal accidents throughout the bathing season”

Portugal prides itself in the number of beaches with Blue Flags but this cannot be at the cost of beach safety due to lack of lifeguards. The same argument is raised each year namely the lack of qualified lifeguards but there does not appear to be any improvement in the situation.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish you a happy week ahead

News

Civil Protection owes firefighters more than half a million euros according to LBP

Lisbon, April 29, 2024 (Lusa) – The League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP) warned today that Civil Protection owes more than half a million euros to fire brigades, a debt relating to the forest firefighting device that has been in existence for several years.

The president of the LBP, António Nunes, told Lusa that the League questioned the humanitarian associations of volunteer firefighters about the amount owed to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) under the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR).

“At this point it is already 620 thousand euros”, said António Nunes, stressing that the debt is capable of “reaching one million euros”, since all fire brigades have not yet responded.

According to LBP, these debts under DECIR are mainly from 2022 and 2023, but there are also some that date back to 2019.

António Nunes explained that “these are extraordinary expenses that must be paid and that have to do with the expenses presented by the fire departments and that ANEPC did not pay”, being essentially related to damaged materials and vehicle repairs.

“The debts are very varied, but they are not current expenses”, he stated, stressing that the LBP is now alerting to this situation, as there are 15 days left until the first reinforcement of firefighting resources within the scope of DECIR.

“I think it is very bad that someone starts another fire season asking for additional effort from associations, fire departments and firefighters, without paying off expenses from previous years”, he highlighted.

The president of LBP also said he hopes that the new Government will provide more precise guidance to ANEPC “to fulfill its commitments”.

Work of the Leiria Region Sub-Regional Fire Management Commission was suspended

Leiria, April 30, 2024 (Lusa) – The work of the Sub-regional Commission for Integrated Rural Fire Management in the Leiria Region was suspended at the initiative of the intermunicipal community, which demands clarification of the funds to reinforce forest management actions in this territory.

“The work of the Sub-regional Committee for Rural Fire Management in the Leiria Region was suspended, by majority decision of its members and on the initiative of the 10 municipalities of the Intermunicipal Community of the Leiria Region (CIMRL)”, announced this entity.

According to CIMRL, the decision is justified by “the need to clarify the financial means to reinforce integrated forest management actions in the Leiria Region and by the conformity of the Danger Charter with municipal plans and rural fire risk”.

This commission, chaired by CIMRL, was installed in February 2022 and is made up of around 30 public and private entities with competences in the integrated management of rural fires.

In a press release sent to the Lusa agency, the intermunicipal community said that “the proposal to suspend the work of the sub-regional commission at a technical level was approved with two votes against”, from the representatives of the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF) and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, “entities responsible for coordinating and preparing the current Danger Charter (…) without any discussion with the territories”.

This decision by CIMRL “translates a position in defence of the forest and demands clarification on the sources of financing for a Sub-Regional Action Plan for the Leiria Region that imposes duties and obligations on municipalities”.

The technical level proposal coordinated by AGIF “points to the implementation of 51 strategic projects, representing a financing need of around 204 million euros by 2030, an amount that is unaffordable for the budgets of the municipalities in the Leiria Region”, maintained CIMRL.

In addition to suspending the commission’s work with immediate effect, it was also decided to request the revocation of the 2020-2030 Hazard Charter.

“Petty crimes” MAI agrees that Military Service can be an alternative.

The Minister of Internal Administration agreed today that military service could be an alternative for young people who commit “minor crimes”, as defended by the Minister of Defence.

In statements to journalists, at the end of the closing seminar of the Project “Improving prevention, assistance, protection and (re)integration systems for victims of sexual exploitation”, Margarida Blasco said that the Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo, “obviously that spoke on behalf of the entire Government”.

What we have to admit is that all solutions are the Government’s intention to implement them, adapting them to the current contexts which, as you know, are very demanding”, said the minister.

The minister’s statement comes after Nuno Melo proposed, at Universidade Europa, a PSD political training initiative, that military service could be an alternative for young people who commit petty crimes instead of being placed in institutions that, “in the main In most cases, they only function as a school of crime for life”, at the same time that he stated that there were no political conditions to re-impose compulsory military service.

Also present at the ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the president of the Bar Association said she was not analysing the matter, but made it clear that “compulsory military service makes no sense whatsoever”.

Even so, Fernanda de Almeida Pinheiro admitted that “it could be recommended (…) as a substitute penalty, instead of paying a pecuniary penalty, which if people do not always have, they choose to do public service”.

“And military service can be a public service that is provided, if necessary, when properly framed, because I don’t even know if we are properly qualified to receive this type of services”, defended the president.