Portugal Reviews Emergency Communication System

Francisco Brito, president of the Association, stated that Starlink internet devices are being contracted to improve future emergency responses. The devices may not arrive before the upcoming fire season as procurement is still ongoing. The government plan includes modernizing technological infrastructure and computer equipment alongside staff training. The NAFRO has not received information regarding who will fund the required training, though it expects government support. The Portuguese government has failed to produce results from a task force created to address recurring wildfire and power outage issues. Since 2006, 720 million euros have been spent on various plans that failed to prevent the June 2017 and October 2017 fires, as well as the April 2025 blackout. A working group was established to provide responses within 90 days, but 12 months have passed without visible results. The government is evaluating the emergency communications system through a multi-ministerial team led by the Minister of Internal Administration. Results and implementation plans are expected to be released shortly. Approximately 5 billion euros of the projected total depend on private entities and concessions, though no final contracts or commitments have been signed. Mariana Letão noted that these figures currently remain mere projections.