On October 2 2023, firefighter unions affiliated to CESI convened to launch a call for action to increase investments in the firefighting sector and better equip Member States in their fight against extreme forest fires.

The meeting took place against the background of this season’s heavy wildfires in particular in Southern Europe – especially that in Alexandroupolis, Northern Greece, which raged for many days, consuming hectares of forested areas, residential neighbourhoods and farmland amounting to the size of Paris and Berlin cities combined.

Firefighter unions affiliated in CESI are concerned that wildfires are becoming a growing regional and global concern, affecting entire ecosystems, communities, and economies – while firefighting services are under-resourced and overburdened. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the EU have risen significantly, posing a grave threat to people, property, and the environment. According to EFFIS (the European Forest Fire System) the worrisome 2023 figures for EU wildfires and drought reflect more than 182,569 burnt hectares with more than 40% above the average recorded over the period from 2003 to 2022 (128,225 hectares). Despite this undeniable reality, firefighting capacities in the EU are shrinking, with substantial understaffing capacities in most Member States, leaving a vacuum which cannot be compensated by any other public service.

The call for action was attended by the European Commission’s Civil Protection Mechanism team and the EU Agency of the Space Programme (EUSPA), which showcased resources such as the EU Space Programme and the European Forest Fire System (EFFIS) – tools which could be made available also for firefighters to improve or streamline their capacities.

Hans Das, Director for Emergency Management and rescEU at he European Commission, was very clear: “More investments are needed to counteract the increasing incidence of extreme weather events, together with more EU cooperation in the field of civil protection and humanitarian aid”, he stressed.

Klaus Heeger, Secretary General of CESI, called on EU Member States to make the necessary investments in the vital services performed by firefighters. “It is imperative that we take proactive measures to mitigate the climate-related risks of wildfires and floods, enhance preparedness, and respond effectively when disasters strike. For this we need sufficient and well paid firefighting teams made available all across Europe”, he emphasised.

Antonis Koukouzas, President of the Greek firefighters’ union ‘Epayps’ noted: “By learning from the tragic event of Alexandroupolis we should already start implementing the lessons learnt and not lose time to prepare for the 2024 wildfire season. There is no better way to fight fires than through fire prevention strategies, including stricter regulations on campfires, public awareness campaigns, and controlled burns.”

Alain Laratta, Secretary General of the firefighters’ union ‘Avenir Secours’ highlighted that one of the greatest strengths of Europe is its ability to foster cooperation among its Member States. He noted that the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism enables countries to pool resources, expertise, and equipment when wildfires rage across national borders. This cooperative approach ensures a rapid and coordinated response to fire emergencies, he stressed and added: “France is one of the biggest contributors in the Mechanism. More should be done for EU countries to combat the fire blazes. An EU Strategy to combat forest fires would help streamline the assistance given; a European minimum standard of practices in the form of a European Firefighter’s Statute would also create a better minimum level playing field for the firefighters, for instance in terms of personal protective equipment and insurance coverages.”

Vasileios Kalogirou from the EU Agency of the Space Programme (EUSPA) showcased how satellite technology from EGNOS, Galileo, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM & IRIS and Space Situational Awareness can serve the firefighters’ operations. He said: “Europe is at the forefront of technological innovation and scientific research through state-of-the-art equipment and access to advanced fire-monitoring systems such as EFFIS. Satellites and drones equipped with infrared sensors can detect wildfires at an early stage, enabling a swift response.” He mentioned that the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) works tirelessly to improve the understanding of wildfire behaviour and mitigation techniques.

CESI’s call for action made clear: In light of this year’s wildfire season and the challenges it posed, the firefighting profession in the EU needs to be lifted to the importance and life-saving role it has. More investments in this profession are needed to mitigate inadequate workloads, work-induced stress, heat stress and injuries, smoke inhalation, dehydration, fatigue and underpay. Europe’s added value in fighting wildfires lies in its spirit of cooperation, technological advancements, skilled personnel, and dedication to prevention and preparedness – but it should also bring forward a cohesive EU approach to combatting fires based on mutual learning, sharing of best practices and minimum standards of safety and work ethics.