The Socialist Party sent this Tuesday, April 14th, a question to the Government of Luís Montenegro in which it highlights some concerns regarding the announcement of the creation of the Integrated Prevention and Operations Command (CIPO), which will function as a joint team of a temporary nature, “coordinated by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, operating in the Center and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions”, with a task established until at least May 31st.
Despite the question sent to the Executive to which the DN had access, the PS “welcome the creation of an inter-ministerial structure that incorporates the Armed Forces in the rural fire prevention system” – Carneiro had already defended this before – Socialists remember that having “another temporary and limited structure in its temporal and territorial scope raises doubts regarding the stability and conformity of the model adopted with the current legal framework.”
According to the PS, “the Integrated Protection and Relief Operations System [SIOPS] already provides for territorial operational coordination mechanisms”, mentioning the Operational Coordination Centers (CCO), the National Operational Coordination Center (CCON) and the Regional Operational Coordination Centers (CCOR). In the opinion of the PS parliamentary group, there is a “possible overlapping of duties and competencies” and it is admitted that there may be a “risk of disarticulation of the chain of command.”
To the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, the PS asks that “an integrated and permanent model” be consolidated, remembering that “in view of the increased risk of fires” it becomes vital to “guarantee the contribution of the Armed Forces” and that this must be done in a “fully integrated and not merely cyclical way.” In this sense, socialists want guarantees from the minister that “the creation of this structure does not contribute to the fragmentation of the rural fire prevention model.” Researcher Xavier Viegas highlighted this Tuesday the increased risks of forest fires this summer.
Carneiro, accompanied by Carlos César, was received this Tuesday by Antonio José Seguro, President of the Republic, and had already put forward proposals last summer regarding the reaction of the Internal Administration during periods of fires. Today he once again insisted that “more than reports” “social responses and support for populations” are needed, he mentioned regarding the heavy damage caused by bad weather in January and February in Portugal.
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