Civil protection, wildfires and armed forces - reflections

Abstract

The consequences of the 2017 forest fires yet again relaunched the debate about this subject. Taking into consideration the conclusions of the reports of two technical committees appointed by Portugal’s Parliament, it was decided to implement a wide range of measures to address the problem. Among these measures are the restructuring of the Portuguese Civil Protection Authority [ANPC] and the creation of a new body responsible for the general management of wildfires. It was also decided to strengthen military intervention in emergency military assistance operations. However, civil protection is much more than wildfires, and re-thinking it goes far beyond restructuring the Civil Protection Authority once again or strengthening the role of the armed forces. It will be important to think about a model and implement it with broad support (not only political) to avoid systematic adjustments that create instability, one of the major problems of civil protection structures. The support of the armed forces in the event of a serious accident or disaster has been routine for many years. These operations are carried out in accordance with the concept of dual-use. Even so, the levels of ambition accepted for these missions require greater coordination in planning, training and exercising, funding for specific materials and timely regeneration of equipment subjected to additional wear. The capabilities and potential of the armed forces that can be best exploited in a more structural prevention should be reappraised. If possible, it’s better to avoid disasters than to deal with them.