“We are all civil protection”
World Civil Defence Day, known in Portugal as Civil Protection Day, was established by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO), and is celebrated annually on March 1 around the world since 1990.
The ICDO is an intergovernmental organization whose objective is to contribute to the development by States of structures ensuring the protection and assistance of populations and safe-guarding property and the environment in the face of natural and man-made disasters.
These structures are generally known as civil protection, civil defence, civil safety and are all concerned with the management of emergency situations. The ICDO federates the national structures established by States for this purpose with the aim of favouring cooperation and mutual solidarity between them.
The theme for 2024 is: “Honouring all civil protection officers and promoting safety skills. World Civil Defence Day precisely talks about what the quote mentioned above aims to deliver regarding its message. One aspect of this day is to honour those engaged in defence and civil services, their prestige and selfless service. Another major objective of World Civil Defence Day 2024 is to bring the world’s attention to the requirement of civil preparedness and civil protection.”
Specifically, the day contributes to raising awareness about the importance of being prepared to prevent, handle, and manage emergency situations that may arise unexpectedly. Further, it also highlights the role of civil protection organisations in protecting the lives of civilians.
Further, this day promotes the collaborative potential of major stakeholders that are involved in emergency management. Bringing together communities, governments civil protection organisations, and stakeholders such as the world’s leading industries, proper deployment and utilisation of resources are made possible.
The day is also significant for highlighting the challenges and issues that civil protection organisations face or might face in performing their duties of responding to emergencies and providing civil protection.
Also, the most significant is that the day takes out time to celebrate the many achievements of civil protection organisations.
In Portugal
In Portugal, following Dispatch n 6915/2008, February 21, the Civil Protection Day was established.
In Portugal and in the world, the celebration of the date aims to alert and raise awareness of the importance of civil protection in safeguarding human life, property and cultural and environmental heritage, in the face of serious accidents and disasters. It also pays tribute to all its agents; to promote reflection and dialogue around the risks faced by territories and populations; and the role each of us, citizens, has to play in the collective effort to create disaster-resilient communities.
The date has been marked, at the national, regional and municipal level, with various events held, above all, by various civil protection agents, as well as by municipalities, with the purpose of promoting broad reflection of the values that should shape this area of action, involving the whole community and citizens.
The structure and role of civil protection
In Portugal, the National Civil Protection System is made up of an extensive set of entities: government bodies at national, regional, district and municipal levels; civil protection agents; public and private entities with a special duty of cooperation; technical and scientific research institutions. In situations of alert, calamity or contingency, all citizens are also called upon to collaborate. That’s why we say that “We are all Civil Protection”.
The Assembly of the Republic defines the framework for civil protection policy and supervises its implementation. The government is responsible for conducting civil protection policy, under the direction of the Prime Minister. The national coordinating body is the National Civil Protection Commission.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) operates on the mainland with the mission of planning, coordinating and executing emergency and civil protection policies; articulate and coordinate the actions of civil protection agents and entities with actions in this area; ensure planning and coordination of national civil emergency planning needs; and execute the international cooperation policy of the Portuguese State.
Civil protection agents include: the Bombeiros, GNR, PSP, UEPS, Special Civil Protection Force, INEM and Red Cross, Forest Sappers, Civil Protection command units, ICNF and others. In addition to the many roles each organisation plays in disaster awareness and preparation, during major fires and other catastrophes, they come together as a team under the overall direction of civil protection.
Safe Communities Portugal as part of the national Civil Protection system
Under the national civil protection systems, apart from the civil protection agents (mentioned above), there are a number of entities with a special duty of cooperation. This includes Safe Communities Portugal as “Civil Protection Volunteer Organisation” under Portuguese law.
As such, Safe Communities will be participating in the Albufeira Municipal Civil Protection Event from March 21 to 23, along with various civil protection agents and other entities. Our organisation will include a display stand, focusing on preparedness, as well as presentation of the work of our organisation.
Although the official day itself is March 1, some civil protection sub-regions will be marking the occasion spread over an extended period. An example is the Sub-Regional Command of Médio Tejo, of Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil and CIM Médio Tejo, in collaboration with the Municipal Civil Protection Services and civil protection agents, will be holding events from March 1 to April 3 and the Municipality of Seia will stage events from March 1 to 7.
A unique opportunity to learn more about civil protection
Events such as the above provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about civil protection and the importance of understanding the role and work of the different entities involved. There is also the opportunity to learn how the latest equipment and technology is helping those involved in preparing for disasters and dealing with catastrophes when they occur.
Finally, it provides a unique opportunity to talk directly to the many front-line personnel involved in dealing with major disasters ranging from rural fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.
By David Thomas
|| features@algarveresident.com
David Thomas is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police, consultant to INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
In 2011, he founded Safe Communities Algarve to help the authorities and the community prevent crime. It is now registered as Associação SCP Safe Communities Portugal, the first national association of its type in Portugal.
913 045 093
info@safecommunitiesalgarve.com
www.safecommunitiesportugal.com
