Around 200 people took part in training exercises held across rural areas of the municipality of Loulé as part of the “Safe Village, Safe People” programme, aimed at “making inland communities more resilient to rural wildfires and equipping residents with preventive and self-protection behaviours,” Loulé Council has announced.
This year, Loulé Municipality organised 12 exercises across the villages of Sarnadas, Penina, Cortinhola, Águas Frias, Espargal, Malhão, Vermelhos, Cortelha, Vale da Rosa, Freixo Seco, Sobradinho, and Vale Maria Dias, covering the parishes of Alte, Benafim, Salir, and Ameixial.
According to the local authority, the initiative once again centred on awareness-raising activities, the dissemination of safety measures, and evacuation drills. The Municipal Civil Protection Service also addressed several key concepts, including the preparation of an individual emergency kit in the event of evacuation.
Particular emphasis was placed on land clearance as a fundamental wildfire prevention measure, alongside a reminder that any controlled burning or vegetation clearance fires must be duly reported to the competent authorities beforehand.
During the exercises, evacuation plans and communication mechanisms between residents and emergency services were tested, with special attention given to protecting more vulnerable groups, particularly older residents.
The initiative was coordinated by Loulé’s Municipal Civil Protection Service in partnership with the Social Cohesion and Intervention Division, parish councils, Loulé Fire Brigade, the National Republican Guard, and local hunting associations.
Municipal officials stressed that the guidelines set out under the “Safe Village, Safe People” programme are designed to encourage responsible behaviour and reduce the risk of fire ignition, thereby improving public safety. The drills help prepare communities to respond safely in the event of a real wildfire, safeguarding human life and facilitating operational response on the ground. They also play a crucial role in strengthening links with older and more isolated residents, promoting a more effective and coordinated emergency response.
The municipality further highlighted the pivotal role of the Local Safety Officer, described as the “link between the local community and the authorities”. The officer is expected to possess a thorough understanding of local geographical and social realities, as well as existing community structures, with the primary responsibility of gathering residents at the designated refuge or collective shelter within each village.
As these exercises are held every two years in each locality, the 2027 programme will take place in the villages of Mesquita, Barrosas, Nave do Barão, Azinhal, Montes Novos, Corte d’Ouro, Barranco do Velho, Casas da Corte, and Amendoeira.
“The organisation of these exercises demonstrates the Municipality of Loulé’s commitment to prevention and preparedness, which we regard as essential foundations for an effective emergency response,” said Telmo Pinto, president of Loulé Municipal Council. “Within the framework of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection, these actions actively contribute to strengthening collective safety while empowering communities to face risk scenarios in a more informed and secure manner. They are fundamental initiatives in building more resilient communities.”
Source: Sul Informação
