The Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures has approved the 2nd generation Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plans for the municipalities of Nordeste and Praia da Vitória.

These new plans are considered 2nd generation as they are result of the compliance with the Resolution 25/2008 of July 18 issued by the National Civil Protection Commission, which has established a new directive on the criteria and technical standards for the drafting and implementation of the Civil Protection Plans.
 
The Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plans are tools that define the guidelines and the procedures of various entities, services and structures to be employed in civil protection operations by assessing risks, vulnerabilities, means and the available resources in each municipality.

According to the Regional Secretary for Science, these Plans are fundamental tools for municipalities – being the highest authority responsible for civil protection in each municipality – as well as for different civil protection agents, or for the good performance of their functions and the provision of assistance in the event of a serious accident and disaster.

In accordance with the legislation in force in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, the Municipal Civil Protection Emergency Plans are drafted by municipalities and approved by the government official supervising the area of Civil Protection upon the assessment of the Municipal Civil Protection Commission and the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service.

In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, all municipalities have already approved the respective Municipal Emergency Plans, but only four municipalities have updated their plans according to the new legislation in order to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency, thus turning them into 2nd generation plans.