Climate change increases the risk of forest fires in Central Europe. Since these fires often affect more than one region, improved cooperation and better information exchange are crucial for firefighting efforts. The CROSS ALERT project addresses precisely this issue. The aim of the project is to assess the effectiveness of existing systems and measures for preventing natural disasters, as well as to review the aftermath of fires and floods in the areas of the participating municipalities.
One important aspect of international or cross-border cooperation is the inclusion of regional authorities and emergency services with the goal of empowering local communities and organizations to tackle this cross-border challenge with shared knowledge, tools, and coordinated cross-border measures. On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the Municipality of Ajdovščina in cooperation with the Slovenian Forestry Institute, held a cross-border regional workshop that addressed four key topics related to fire risk management and aftermath, namely prevention, preparedness, intervention, and post-fire measures.
For each topic, we highlighted best practices and issues that arise on either side of the border, as well as legal, organizational, and operational challenges in cross-border cooperation. The workshop provided crucial information for further addressing existing issues at the national and cross-border levels. Most importantly, we concluded that the only way to improve the current situation in the cross-border area is through mutual cooperation.
The workshop involved key professional stakeholders from both sides of the border. On the Italian side, participants included the University of Trieste, the Municipality of Trieste, the City of Venice, the Institute for International Sociology in Gorizia, the Forestry Service of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and the Civil Protection of Trieste. On the Slovenian side, in addition to the organizers, the Slovenian Forestry Institute and the Municipality of Ajdovščina, participants included the Nova Gorica Firefighting Unit, IGEA Ltd., the Sežana Regional Forestry Office, the RS Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, the Tolmin Regional Forestry Office, the Postojna Fire Department, and Fire and rescue centre Ajdovščina.
