FIRE-RES delivers successful wildfire planning & analyzing processes workshop in Stockholm

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The first week of February marked a significant milestone for the FIRE-RES project with the successful completion of the “Wildfire Planning: Procedures & Analysing Methods” training workshop, held in Rosersberg, Stockholm, Sweden.

Courtesy of TIEMS

The workshop focused on knowledge-sharing and hands-on activities, aimed at enhancing the operational practices of wildfire management. It saw the participation of over fifty individuals, including nineteen trainees, alongside observers from twelve different EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM) participant states. 

At the heart of the workshop was the critical theme of planning and analysis of wildfire behavior, a key factor in incident management decision-making processes. Under the expert guidance of the course’s educational manager, Lieutenant Colonel JP Monet (Bouches-du-Rhône Fire Department, The International Emergency Management Society – TIEMS), and technical experts General Sergio Pirone (Piemonte Forestry Service) and Lieutenant Colonel Xavier Joseph (Bouches-du-Rhône Fire Department), attendees delved into the complexities of wildfire management. 

Courtesy of TIEMS

The event’s international dimension was further strengthened by the support of local manager Major Tony Johansson from the Södertörn Fire Department and active involvement from the Södertörn Fire and Rescue Service, who co-leads the Norway-Sweden Living Lab. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Mapping Agency (Lantmäteriet) also contributed, providing vital support with a GEO-cell manned by GIS experts. 

After an insightful welcome by Cecilia Uneram, Director of Södertörns Brandförsvarsförbund, the week-long event brought together a diverse group, including decision-makers and policymakers from national, regional, and international levels, researchers, and forestry experts. The focus on interoperability was a consistent theme throughout the activities, making this training an invaluable contribution to the future of the EUCPM. 

Courtesy of TIEMS

Key Takeaways 

The workshop represented an opportunity for both students and trainers, setting the stage for further exchanges of expertise in wildfire command, control, and coordination. Plans are already underway to update and expand this workshop in 2026, focusing on Nordic conditions, with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Forest Research (SNS). 

This event was just one example of FIRE-RES’ ongoing commitment to providing high-impact training. Last year, FIRE-RES partners gathered in Portugal for a course organized by the Escola Nacional de Bombeiros, with a special focus on occupational safety for crews fighting wildfires. Additionally, a similar Wildfire Command and Control Practices training took place in Valabre, France, in 2024, aiming to equip incident commanders and management team officers with the skills necessary to manage EUCPM activations effectively. 

Championing Interoperability 

TIEMS, one of the primary advocates of these training activities, continues to place interoperability at the core of its FIRE-RES contributions. As part of their efforts, TIEMS produced Assessing First Responders’ Capacity to Collaborate and Interoperate (D4.8), which focuses on extreme wildfire events requiring multi-national and multi-organizational cooperation. This matrix tool was developed to assess how effectively services and agencies can collaborate during such crises. Although voluntary, the tool aims to encourage commitment to improving interoperability across emergency management sectors. Particularly, it offers valuable insights for emergency operators and responders, including firefighters, police, and forestry workers, and can be utilized in training sessions leading up to the wildfire season. While the tool was created within the context of FIRE-RES, it is versatile and can be adapted for use in other disaster scenarios as well. 

Author: Beatrice Bellavia (Euromontana).