These are the “significant changes” planned for 2024 by the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, which highlighted in a statement the contribution of the new permanent intervention team for the district of Faro, which brings the number of these teams in the region to 36, compared to 2023.

The Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command (CREPCA) also highlighted that the rural firefighting device would this year include the addition of a team of Forestry Sappers, which will be “operationalised in the municipality of Silves”.

It is also planned to increase the compensation awarded to firefighters who join DECIR by 6.10 euros, with the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) supporting an additional 3.10 euros and the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL) 3.00 euros.

“Surveillance and inspection actions will also be brought forward in areas historically most vulnerable to rural fires” and means of the initial attack and/or expanded attack will be pre-positioned in strategic pre-positioning locations, in addition to “another firefighting group being constituted”.