As the frequency and intensity of disasters increase, there is a growing need for cross-border and regional cooperation.
Joint action in a disaster situation is a challenge for both professional and voluntary organisations at national level, and this is amplified when the rescue has to be carried out across borders. The effectiveness of local volunteer rescue organisations is unquestionable, as their local knowledge is an important asset in addition to their rapid response. Volunteer rescue organisations can help to tackle different types of damage with their specific training, specialised technical equipment and skills. As regards training, however, the obstacles to common standardised training must be identified. It is necessary to identify common training exercises that support common preparation as well as which training modules can be included in professional training.
Mediation between the different structures of disaster management agencies, and the harmonisation of training due to different qualifications, could be a first step towards common prevention and preparedness, and then towards unified intervention. The definition of common activities is possible through the joint definition of a set of expectations.
The bilateral agreements in force today, based on international law, contain a number of administrative constraints (e.g. prior authorisation of vehicles intervening on the other side of the border) that make a rapid response impossible. This can cause damage, even in terms of human lives.
Cross-border fires are still difficult to tackle because action and funding is at national level. By coordinating county fire plans, bilateral agreements can be reached to jointly prepare protocols for rapid intervention.
The Priority Area for Environmental Risks (PA5) of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) pays particular attention to supporting disaster preparedness and response. In the Action Plan, which entered into force in spring 2020, the priority area’s main target activity is disaster management. It aims to strengthen disaster prevention and preparedness between governmental and non-governmental organisations, mainly through support to joint preparedness activities (e.g. regional exercises, joint training activities, sharing of know-how, standardisation of capacities) between actors involved in disaster response (professional and voluntary, operational, tactical and strategic). It will also place a strong emphasis on harmonised training and capacity building of civil protection teams to ensure interoperability.
Under PA5, a Disaster Management Working Group (DM-WG) was set up in 2020 with 25 members from 2 organisations from 8 Danube countries (including Hungary and Slovakia).
PA5 has supported more than 50 projects over the past decade to address environmental risks.
Based on the discussions so far, the Hungarian coordination of the EUDRS PA5, the Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Firefighters Association, the National Directorate General for Disaster Management and the National Food Chain Safety Office may participate in the joint work regarding forest fires.
Contacts with the Hungarian experts are ongoing, and the collection of Hungarian legislation, foreign good practices and the discussion of planned developments has started.
RISKHUB (INTERREG SKHU) The project aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capacity in the context of climate change risks along the Hungarian-Slovak border by improving cooperation between fire brigades and municipalities. Lead partner of the project: Budapest Fire Brigades Association, Project partners: Komárom-Esztergom County Fire Brigades Association, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Fire Brigades Association, Győr-Moson-Sopron County Fire Brigades Association, Voluntary Fire Brigades of Bős, Reste municipality, Szilas municipality
WILDFIREX (Komárom, North Komárom) (Visegrad Fund)
During the exercise, imagined incidents occurred in the Komárom district, which posed a threat to the population and the region, requiring the deployment of national and international volunteer forces. Volunteer firefighters from the region had the opportunity to get to know each other’s skills, tools and equipment, which will lead to better interoperability. The planned workshops and joint exercises served as a platform to prepare the region’s volunteer fire brigades for cross-border interventions. Operational procedures of both organisations were shared, leading to smoother interventions through joint response actions. Joint trainings, workshops and exercises have facilitated the development of more effective responses and supported the sharing of experience and knowledge between partners. Participating teams: Slovak Firefighters’ Association, member organisations of the Komárom District Organization (Slovakia), member organisations of the Komárom-Esztergom County Firefighters’ Association (Hungary), Hungarian Maltese Charity Service (Hungary).
Bilateral agreements on joint prevention and preparedness processes. Approximation of different structures, support (professional vs municipal), coordination between sectors at local level.
Setting common minimum training standards.
Develop common fire safety interventions using soft law tools.
Facilitate the access of rescue vehicles to cross the border (not only on the basis of ad hoc authorisation). Develop proposals after identifying practices abroad.
The continuation of the RISKHUB project can strengthen bilateral and inter-level, cross-sectoral cooperation. The coordination of joint actions can be achieved through a regional platform. In particular, it is necessary to identify the levels of action on a bilateral basis and to establish the legal basis for local intervention. Increasing development knowledge, harmonisation of common training, minimum standards to support joint preparation events. The aim is to involve governmental bodies in the project (trained trainers for volunteers, e-learning) in addition to voluntary NGOs.
The project is financially supported by the European Union,
within the framework of the Interreg Hungary – Slovakia Programme.
For more information visit www.skhu.eu.
The project is financially supported by the European Union,
within the framework of the Interreg Hungary – Slovakia Programme.
For more information visit www.skhu.eu.