Unhappy with the current situation, the firefighters demand answers from the Government and also decided to suspend institutional presence in protocol events, media campaigns and protest banners in the barracks, the monthly mobilization of vehicles to the Assembly of the Republic and actions such as collecting signatures from citizens.
Firefighters decided, this Sunday, to move forward with protests, such as the refusal to carry out hospital discharges for a few hours, slow marches and the monthly movement of vehicles to parliament, given the lack of government responses to the sector’s demands.
“In view of the lack of concrete responses from the Government, responsible protest measures were approved, always safeguarding assistance to the population”, announced the president of the congress board, Luis Gil Barreiros, in the presentation of the conclusions of the 45th National Congress of the LBP, which has been taking place since Saturday in Alcobaça, in the district of Leiria.
The vote on the 16 motions presented to congress resulted in the approval of protests, of which the one that generated the most discussion was the “refusal to carry out hospital discharges”, that is, the transport of non-urgent patients who are discharged from hospitals, for periods that could successively increase from 12 to 24 or 48 hours.
Os protests will also involve “district and national concentrations, slow marches and coordinated siren sounds”stated the chairman of the board.
The firefighters, unhappy with the current situation, and who are demanding answers from the Government, also decided to suspend institutional presence in protocol events, media campaigns and protest banners in the barracks, the monthly mobilization of vehicles to the Assembly of the Republic and actions such as collecting 20 thousand signatures from citizens to press for legislative initiatives.
These actions “translate the sector’s determination to make its voice heard and demand respect for its demands”, added Gil Barreiros.
The congress, which took place “in a context of collective demand and deep reflection on the future of protection and relief in Portugal”, ended, according to the congress panel, with “a clear and unequivocal message: the current model is exhausted and requires urgent structural reforms”.
O sector, which “does not ask for privileges, but demands justice and recognition”, decided to demand the creation of a national firefighter career, as well as a firefighter statute that “encompasses employment contracts with humanitarian associations, its own salary scale with progression by rank and seniority, adequate social protection and a fair retirement regime”.
The conclusions of the congress also focused on valuing volunteering with measures such as IRS exemption on compensation tax benefits on IUC, IMI and tolls, as well as priority in public competitions and access to higher educationamong others.
Regarding the sustainable financing of humanitarian associations, the congress demands the replacement of the subsidy model with multi-annual program contracts that “ensure financial stability, coverage of fixed costs, energy, communications, insurance and vehicles”.
It also decided to requirement to create a multi-annual re-equipment plan that ensures the renewal of vehicles and barracks, with a mandatory annual contribution for the acquisition of personal protective equipment and uniforms, technological modernization and energy transition.
Portuguese firefighters also demand a review of the amounts paid by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and for the transport of non-urgent patients, access to green diesel and a reduction in the contribution rate.
The congress also approved the need to create the status of the association leader, Regional Coordination Centers and National Fire Command, measures that “aim to guarantee the operability and safety of firefighters, as well as adaptation to the demands of a modern civil protection system”.
