Strengthening Cross-Border Firefighting Cooperations
19/03/2026
On 18 March 2026, a comprehensive joint exercise was successfully carried out within the framework of the HANDY project at the Firefighting Training and Technological Development Centre Split (Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia). The event brought together Croatian and Italian civil protection and firefighting forces, reinforcing cross-border cooperation and operational readiness in response to large-scale wildfire scenarios.
The exercise was organised by the Split-Dalmatia County, a key project partner, and took place in a state-of-the-art training environment established through the FireSpill project – a successfully implemented strategic project of the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme, financed in the 14-20 programming period. The training centre, equipped with modern infrastructure and specialised training polygons, stands as a concrete legacy of Programme investments, providing an ideal setting for both theoretical and practical components of the activity.
This one-day event included a tabletop exercise focused on coordination and decision-making within the Civil Protection Headquarters, followed by a large-scale field demonstration simulating wildfire response. The scenario involved coordinated action between ground and aerial firefighting units, highlighting interoperability and the effective use of jointly developed capacities and equipment. Operational forces from both Croatia and Italy actively participated, including civil protection units and firefighting services, demonstrating a high level of preparedness and collaboration. The exercise tested joint procedures, communication protocols, and response strategies in a realistic environment.
The event also provided an opportunity to present the REALIST project, an Operation of Strategic Importance (OSI) under the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme. REALIST builds on existing cross-border cooperation frameworks and brings together many partners and stakeholders involved in HANDY. Its presentation during the exercise highlighted the strong continuity between the two initiatives and their shared objective of strengthening resilience to natural and man-made risks. By capitalising on synergies and accumulated knowledge, REALIST is expected to further enhance coordinated risk management approaches and long-term cooperation in the Programme area.
High-level representatives attended the exercise, including Slavko Tucaković, Chief Fire Commander of the Republic of Croatia, and Blaženko Boban, Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County, underlining the strategic importance of cross-border cooperation in civil protection.
The activities continued with a conference in Split, held on 19 March, bringing together decision-makers, national authorities and experts to discuss the results of capacity-building activities and future directions for wildfire risk management within a broader multi-risk civil protection framework.
This HANDY joint initiative represents a key step in enhancing institutional capacities, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and improving preparedness for natural disasters in the Adriatic region.
Article by JS Project Manager Helen Brčić
