Forest Fire Fighters

Project goal: To utilize the untapped local potential in MoK and MoB for better use of volunteers in joint cross-border forest fire risk management by eradicating existing practical and knowledge-based barriers for CB forest fire prevention and inter-vention actions. The specific objectives are to: 1. Balance the number of well prepared and equipped volunteers and administrative staff, 2. Upgrade available emergency detection and response equipment, ensuring CB compatibility and 3. Introduce pilot tested joint mechanisms for coordinated interventions of volunteers.

The project envisages: Removal of most existing barriers for effective cross-border cooperation in forest fire risk management and increases the safety of the population and the natural resources in the CB area. The project reduces the cross-border discrepancies in terms of number of volunteers, quality of schooling, use of geo- systems, level of public awareness and available technology to intervene in case of forest fire disasters. As a direct output, MoK will double its existing force of volunteers, MoB and MoK will obtain modern mobile equipment which boost the CB impact and the tactical flexibility in emergency situations. A joint action plan will be pilot tested in a joint drill after a series of two-day theoretical trainings in each municipality. 200 Students will learn how to protect the forests from fires and over 40 institutional representatives will be learn how to replicate the success of the project across the entire Programme area.