Civil Protection and Safety
Carrying out joint work in this area, at a regional level, is justified by the region's own history, which is associated with various records of natural and seismic phenomena.
Projects and initiatives
Preventing and mitigating collective risks in the region
Preventing and mitigating collective risks and the occurrence of serious accidents or disasters in the region, limiting their effects on people and other living beings in danger, and protecting cultural and environmental assets and values are the main objectives behind the coordinated work carried out in this area, which is regional in scope.
The articulation work is justified by the region's own history, which is associated with various records of natural and seismic phenomena that, with greater or lesser impact, have caused damage and severe consequences, leaving their mark on the collective memory of the Portuguese.
The implementation of forestry video surveillance systems, an integrated tsunami warning and alert system in the Tagus Estuary, the definition of a Special Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk in the Lisbon metropolitan area, and participation in the Sub-regional Action Program for Integrated Rural Fire Management in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area reflect the work carried out by AML in this area.
Special Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk
The Special Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk in the Lisbon metropolitan area and neighboring municipalities is an instrument to support the civil protection system in operational management in the event of a seismic event in the region.
The Plan is classified as special, in terms of its purpose, and as supradistrict, in terms of the geographical area it covers.
The director of the plan is the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, who will be replaced in his absence or impediment by the president of the National Civil Protection Authority or, if he is unable to do so, by whomever the Prime Minister appoints.
The plan sets out the responsibilities, organization and operating concept of the civil protection structures, and the way in which the means and resources needed to manage the rescue are mobilized and coordinated.
The plan is complemented by a Self-Protection and Resilience Program, which is designed to anticipate the responses of local communities and society as a whole to the consequences of a high-severity seismic event.
Grupo de Trabalho Metropolitano de Segurança e Proteção Civil
A primeira reunião do Grupo de Trabalho Metropolitano de Segurança e Proteção Civil foi realizada em junho de 2026, na sede da Área Metropolitana de Lisboa, e reuniu cerca de 30 representantes dos municípios da região para alinhar eixos estratégicos, debater os principais desafios na área da segurança e proteção civil e planear o mandato 2026-2030.
Durante o encontro, presidido pela secretária metropolitana Cristina Escórcio, a AML apresentou um conjunto de compromissos e linhas de ação para os próximos anos, nomeadamente a criação do Conselho Metropolitano de Segurança, a elaboração de um plano de policiamento metropolitano, a criação de um projeto metropolitano de videoproteção, e a futura integração da região no Fórum Europeu de Segurança Urbana e na “Rede de Cidades e Vilas Resilientes”.
Relativamente ao Conselho Metropolitano de Segurança, a Área Metropolitana de Lisboa já está a trabalhar numa proposta formal de regulamento interno e composição deste futuro órgão consultivo.
A reunião encerrou com um consenso claro entre todos os participantes de que os problemas de segurança e proteção civil ultrapassam as fronteiras administrativas de cada concelho, exigindo um efeito de escala, solidariedade regional e uma liderança conjunta por parte da Área Metropolitana de Lisboa.
Com o intuito de conferir uma dinâmica de forte continuidade e acompanhamento permanente aos dossiês partilhados, os municípios aprovaram, por unanimidade, que as reuniões do grupo de trabalho passem a ter uma periodicidade trimestral.