Effective cooperation relies on the exchange of practices between Slovenian and Italian emergency services. This is also emphasized by the Slovenian-Italian FIRESAFENET project, which addresses wildfire-related challenges. Civil protection units on both sides of the border—specifically firefighters—are already well acquainted, as they have collaborated on numerous projects in recent years. FIRESAFENET will therefore only strengthen the already established joint commitment.
The FIRESAFENET project received its first major public promotion in October, when we, as project partners working on similar topics, took part in the final conference of the IN4SAFETY project. On the following day, 18 October, our partners also participated in an equipment and rescue vehicle exhibition showcasing the latest achievements and practices in civil protection and rescue. The event included various simulation demonstrations—such as a gas explosion, fire extinguisher use, and large-scale rescue scenarios—and highlighted the training on prescribed burning carried out in September in Sardinia as part of our project. A total of 48 participants—firefighters and civil protection members—took part. The co-organisers of the training, the Forest Guard team from Sardinia, attended both the conference and the exhibition in person, presenting the importance of cooperation within and beyond the project.
Many firefighters participated in the activities in Sardinia. The purpose was to carry out preventive prescribed burning and to train selected personnel who could upgrade their existing knowledge with hands-on experience gained from the Sardinian Forest Guard. In the near future (2026), the same project will also organise a “train the trainers” programme, providing a foundation for more formal implementation of preventive burning, prescribed burning, and counter-fire techniques.
We concluded the first project phase on 4 December with the 2nd partners’ meeting, where we reviewed the work carried out so far and outlined future plans. Ahead of us are the preparation of a joint action plan, study visits to Portugal and Sardinia, procurement of new equipment, the development of training programmes, planning of a joint cross-border exercise, and the establishment of a cross-border virtual centre, among other activities.
In addition to these opportunities for the Municipality of Ajdovščina, the project also includes the purchase of essential equipment needed for successfully managing large wildfires. Past joint emergency interventions have shown that inadequate or insufficient equipment can significantly hinder work in the field. Therefore, based on the latest guidelines and trends in wildfire suppression, we will acquire the equipment necessary to carry out the planned training activities effectively.
