Joint Training Programme for Forest Fire Prevention and Management

The general goal is ensuring high-level preparedness, closer cooperation and exchange of know-how and best practices in the field of forest fire prevention and management by the specialized national and educational institutions of Bulgaria and Serbia through synchronized development and application of specific requirements, maps, procedures and trainings. These aim at enhanced coordination and management of collective reactions in emergency situations, which warrants stronger protection of the CB area and the Balkan population.

Planned activities: 1. Project management - executed by the appointed PMT and external PM company; 2. Procurement of specialialized firefighting vehicle for forest fires (class M, categ.3, Euronorm 6) for PP1; 3. Procurement of equipment for the Alternative National Operations Centre (ANOC), Sofia by PP2 (equipment, work places for national/ international alert/emergency/warning, et. systems, repair works); 4. Procurement of equipment for PP3 - laboratory equipment and simulation training software for the FOC facilities, Nis; 5. Development of joint training program, common strategy for forest fire management and forest fire maps for 2 pilot areas in the CB region - executed by all partners and by sub-contracting; 6. Classroom trainings and field visits in Serbia (FOC & Nis District) - PP3; 7. On-field trainings and field visits in Bulgaria (Pernik and Kuystendil districts, ANOC) - PP1 and PP2; 8. Communication and visibility, incl. demonstration event.

Expected results: - Improved coordination mechanisms for CB forest fire management; Development of joint communication channels and procedures for intervention in emergency situations aiming at enhanced coordination and disaster response efficiency; Investments in firefighting and safety equipment: specialized fire-fighting vehicle, lab equipment and training software etc.; Improved capacity of educational, local and specialized institutions in both countries for efficient intervention in forest fires. Based on the a.m., around 800 000 inhabitants of the cross-border area will benefit from the project implementation.

Project website: http://ipacbc-bgrs-fire-prevention.eu/