Capacity building and field exercise on wildfire response to take place in Split
On 18 March 2026, Split-Dalmatia County will host a HANDY capacity-building activity and practical exercise at the Firefighting Center Vučevica, bringing together representatives of civil protection authorities, emergency services, and project partners.
The training will focus on improving coordination and operational preparedness for large forest fire emergencies, one of the major risks affecting the Adriatic area.
The morning session will feature a tabletop exercise designed for the Civil Protection Headquarters of Split-Dalmatia County, focusing on the organization and operational role of civil protection structures in disaster response. Participants will also be introduced to the facilities of the Firefighting Center Vučevica and will take part in a simulated emergency scenario related to wildfire response.
In the afternoon, the programme will move to field-based activities, including a demonstration exercise and presentation of firefighting equipment. These practical sessions will showcase coordination between operational forces and civil protection actors in responding to large forest fires, including the potential involvement of ground and aerial support at the national level.
The event will conclude with a joint evaluation session, allowing participants to reflect on both the tabletop and field exercises and discuss lessons learned.
This activity represents another important step in strengthening cross-border cooperation, operational coordination, and emergency response capacities among the partners of the HANDY Project.