Joint forest fire prevention actions in the cross-border region

The project aims to increase the capacity for firefighting by supplying specialised equipment for disaster management and by traing of professional firefightersas, as well as with elaboration of  Standard Operational Procedure for actions in case of forest fires. Also, aims to increase public awareness and visibility of the project and the achieved results.

With the implementation of the project initial and final press conferences will be held. By broadcasting the reports of the journalists from press conferences on radio, TV and online media, the wider public in the border region will be introduced with the project. 100 sets of informative material will be prepared and distributed. Through this activity awareness and visibility of the project and the achieved results will be increased.

In the framework of the project training for “Capacity building of firefighters in Stip” will be implemented. Practical training will acquaint firefighters in Macedonia with the essentials of forest fire behavior and suppression techniques, and to give the participants a chance to practice forest firefighting under controlled conditions before being faced with a wildfire. The training will cover theoretical knowledge and practical exercises necessary for train the forest firefighters. With this activity a basic knowledge in forest fire fighting will be accumulated and capacity for firefighting of 35 trained professional firefighters will be increased.

Within the project, both partners will supply а complete equipment for firefighting and other protective equipment.The purchased equipment will enhance the capacity for response of fire and safety services in cases of forest and field fires, the needs and gaps of the existing equipment of both Partners. These supplies will create an opportunity for fast and timely respond in case of forest fires of Fire Safety and Civil Protection Local Service - Gotse Delchev and Firefighting service of the Municipality of Shtip, the fire trucks will be completed, while at the same time it will aim to reduce the forest fires` harmful effects and losses.

In the framework of the project, Standard Operational Procedure for actions in case of forest fires, a coordinated Joint procedure will be elaborated for the commanders to determine the best method of accomplishing assigned tasks and to direct the action necessary to extinguish the forest fires in the cross-border region. The primary objective of this document is to serve as a planning guide and reference for fire management programs, including individual crews and overhead teams, for developing and implementing.

Organization of a simulation training of Bulgarian and Macedonian children will be implemented in Sofia on the specialized training polygon. Main purpose of training is to equip young people with the basic set of skills and knowledge necessary for reaction in case of forest fires and other emergencies and implementation of measures for prevention of forest fire risk. Children training train the adults of tomorrow to be more prepared citizens. 20 Participants will increased knowledge and awareness of forest fire, promoted more realistic risk perceptions, and improved forest fire preparedness for youth and their families from the both sides of border

In the framework of the project a joint training of professional Bulgarian and Macedonian firefighters will be organized and conducted. To enhance the capacity for response of fire and safety services in cases of forest and field fires and to improve joint risk management, training will be conducted using the elaborated Training Programme. During the training sessions will be trained the management and operationa staff of both Partner within the cross-border area . The delivered equipment within the project will be used to locate the forest fire and liquidate it in short terms. Press will be invited at the Field exercise to ensure publicity of the project results and a press conference will be organized after the exercise. The training will comprise theoretical and practical firefighters training/preparation.The firefighters from Shtip municipality and Gotse Delchev municipality will have opportunity to train their joint work, and in real case of a forest fire they will can work jointly and successfully.

Throughout the implementation of the project activities, both partners will be involved and will be part of the processes of training and information about the benefits of prevention and mitigation of consequences of natural and man-caused disasters.

This project aims to show that protecting the environment is one of the main priorities of the region, the usage of the new equipment for firefighting and trained professional firefighters as well as children with increased knowledge and awareness of forest fire, and through raising the public awareness for Prevention and mitigation of consequences of natural and man-caused disasters of cross-border dimension and impact is the main benefit of this project.