Pulsnitz fire brigade is fighting forest fires in Croatia – a first!

Pulsnitz fire brigade is fighting forest fires in Croatia – a first!

The challenges posed by forest fires should not be underestimated in Europe either. A group of ten firefighters from the Pulsnitz Volunteer Fire Department are currently preparing for a mission abroad in Croatia, a country that is suffering greatly from the effects of wildfires. How mdr.de reports, this deployment is part of a comprehensive training program that responds to the increasing demands caused by climate change. The location is Labin, a town in the east of the Istrian peninsula, where the emergency services will complete various training and operations.

The situation in Croatia is alarming. Recently there were devastating fires on the Adriatic coast near Split, which destroyed hundreds of hectares of land and even led to tourists having to be evacuated. Strong winds have repeatedly fanned the fires, making extinguishing work considerably more difficult zeit.de reported. Firefighters are battling the flames that have raged in several coastal towns, while police are also investigating arson as a possible cause.

Preparations and investments

In preparation for the operation, the members of the Pulsnitz fire department completed additional intensive training. This includes special first aid exercises and vegetation fire training. They also took part in joint boat training with the Boxberg fire department. Their commitment was supported by an online fundraising campaign that has so far brought in around 2,000 euros - an important sum for the procurement of personal protective equipment and fire-fighting backpacks.

Rico Löb from the Pulsnitz Volunteer Fire Department emphasizes the physical challenges that await them in Croatia. “The climate here is demanding and the conditions are constantly changing due to climate change,” says Löb. The first part of the group will leave on July 25th, followed by a second group on August 3rd. This is the first foreign deployment for the volunteer firefighters from Pulsnitz.

Current situation in Europe

Forest fires are not just a problem in Croatia. In Greece, too, the fire brigade is constantly fighting the flames, most recently on the island of Chios, where arson is also suspected. The signs are alarming: forest fires are being intensified by the increasing dry and hot periods, which does not go unnoticed in Germany. In 2023, for example, over 1,200 hectares of land have already been devastated by fires in Germany, which is less than the year before, but shows that we also have to prepare for more forest fires in this country statista.com has documented that many fires are caused by human error and arson.

Given this global threat, it is essential that firefighters are well trained and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The deployment of the Pulsnitz fire department in Croatia is therefore also a strong signal that communities are working together to meet the challenges of climate change and to ensure that firefighters are well prepared to fight fires and prevent the worst.