Volunteer firefighters set up their own national command without government permission

The volunteer firefighters have created their own national team, a structure that will become official on Saturday after being elected with the intervention of the Portuguese League of Firefighters (LBP) and without a decision from the government and civil protection.

A new operational organization of firefighters, including its own national command in which “firefighters are commanded by firefighters”, is one of the main requirements of the LBP and has long been required by the organization.

After several meetings and attempts to create this structure with the support of the government and the National Office of Emergency Management and Civil Protection (ANEPC), the firefighters elected this week the first command of the Fire Operations Command without a formal decision made by the trustee part.

“This means the end of the process. The process has been going on for more than a year, when the LBP submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the ANEPC several decisions on the recognition of the fire team, in which firefighters are commanded by firefighters, and the contracts are the same as other civil protection agents,” LBP President Luse said.

António Nunez refused to claim that this structure was created without the knowledge of the government and ANEPC, since the intentions of the firefighters have long been known and the national command “does not require a formal establishment.”

“Formally, firefighters were not born when they were born. For 150 years, firefighters have not asked anyone for permission to form their association,” he said, adding that last year they tried to find a solution so that within the framework of the national fire service that exists in ANEPC and is currently dealing with administrative issues will also become part of operational issues.

António Nunez also explained that the government is not against the creation of this structure, but only believes that “this is not the right moment and not a priority”, as well as the desire on the part of ANEPC to create this team. after 10 years.

“There were conversations on both sides, but there are no decisions, we understand that firefighters have their own capabilities, and we are doing our job,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony for fire commanders elected as regional fire commanders, the national operational commander and his two deputies will take place on Saturday at the Volunteer Firefighters in Pinhal Novo, Palmela.

Asked what these commanders would do in practice, the LBP president replied that they would be part of the AGIF structure that makes technical and advisory opinions, decides on training, and starts working on previous intervention plans.

Next week, the LBP will send to the Home Office the names of the new structure and operating rules for the national firefighting operations command, and will also request a meeting with the minister about the process.

“In the short to medium term, it will be recognized that this structure is an asset to protect the population and that resources can be better managed and better assistance can be provided,” he said.

The National Command is a voluntary structure and is led by Commander José Beleza of the Barcelinos Fire Department, with Commander Ourem Guilherme Isidro (Planning and Operations Area) and Commander Vale de Cambra Vitor Machado (Logistics and Control Area) as assistants. Administration).