Solidarity in action! With EU financial support, Latvia sends firefighters-rescuers to assist Portugal

On Tuesday, July 14, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the deployment of 20 officers with special service ranks from the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to Portugal to provide assistance under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism during the high-risk wildfire season.

Latvian firefighters-rescuers will be stationed in Portugal from July 16 to July 31, 2026. The unit will be pre-positioned in the Almeirim and Trancoso regions—where an elevated risk of wildfires is forecast—enabling them to respond immediately to firefighting operations if needed.

The assistance is organized following a request from Portugal’s National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, submitted on April 30 of this year via CECIS, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's information system.

Concurrently, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated €51,046 to the Ministry of the Interior from the state budget program "Funds for Unforeseen Events" to cover the necessary deployment expenses.

Under the terms of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission may co-finance up to 75% of eligible transport costs. Upon receipt of funding from the European Commission, the corresponding amount will be reimbursed to the state budget.

Participation in international civil protection operations strengthens Latvia's capacity to cooperate with other EU Member States during emergencies. Simultaneously, it provides SFRS officers with valuable experience operating under complex conditions, which is essential for enhancing Latvia's own civil protection capabilities.