Malta is once again lending a helping hand abroad, with 40 Civil Protection Department officers heading to Portugal to assist in tackling the country’s ongoing wildfire season.The deployment, which runs until 31st August, is being carried out through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, allowing EU member states to support one another during major emergencies.The officers will be split into two teams, working alongside Portuguese firefighters to strengthen firefighting efforts and respond quickly to any wildfires that break out during the peak-risk period.Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield praised the deployment, describing it as another recognition of the professionalism and expertise of Malta’s Civil Protection Department.“Our fire officers are renowned for their commitment, expertise and dedication,” he said, adding that Malta’s participation reflects the trust other countries place in the CPD’s capabilities.The mission forms part of the EU’s pre-positioning initiative, which sees firefighting teams deployed before large-scale emergencies occur to ensure a faster response when wildfires ignite.Malta’s Civil Protection Department is no stranger to international deployments. In recent years, Maltese firefighters have also been sent to Greece, Türkiye and Libya to assist with wildfire response efforts, reinforcing the country’s role in European emergency cooperation.What do you make of this?•