08.49 – Saturday 22 June 2024
(The following text is taken entirely from the press note sent to the Opinion Agency) –
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GROWING NUMBERS FOR THE TRENTINO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
The provincial assembly of commanders took place last night (Friday) in Vezzano. In the report by the President of the Federation, Luigi Maturi, the data relating to the 2023 activity which sees the increase in firefighters on active duty and students. Interventions are also growing, which in 2023 recorded an increase of 5% compared to the previous year. In particular, the on-call services and rescue services for people have increased; However, fires and road accidents are decreasing.
The Trentino volunteer fire brigade is a healthy sector, characterized by growing numbers. The volunteer firefighters in active service as of 31 December 2023 reached 5808, with an increase of 133 units compared to 2022. The number of students is also growing: there are 1252 (+40 units) boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 who aim to wear the firefighter uniform upon reaching adulthood.
These are some of the most significant data contained in the report, focused on the activity carried out in 2023, presented this evening by the President of the Federation of Trentino volunteer firefighters, Luigi Maturi. The opportunity was provided by the ordinary provincial assembly of commanders, called to approve the report and the final balance sheet for 2023, which took place this evening at the Vallelaghi Theater in Vezzano. 135 commanders and inspectors were present.
Interventions are also increasing, which in 2023 recorded an increase of 5% compared to the previous year. In particular, on-call services (+8.5%) and rescue services per person (+7.4%) have increased. However, fires (-30.1%) and road accidents (-7.9%) are significantly decreasing. Overall, if we also consider training activities, meetings and participation in events, annual man hours increased by 7.3%, reaching 493,724.
President Maturi recalled the main activities involving the Federation and Trentino volunteer firefighters (raising the age limit for active service to 65 and missions in Emilia Romagna and Friuli Venezia Giulia following calamitous events are the most important), to then focus on the age-old problem of procurement management and the consequent traceability of financial flows. The report received 132 yes votes and one vote against, while the final budget, presented by the Federation director Davide Armani, was approved with 133 votes in favour, one against and one abstention.
«In recent weeks the Province has accepted our requests and approved a law, LP 6/24, which introduces important simplifications in the field of contractual activity», added Maturi. The general manager of the provincial civil protection department Stefano Fait and Giulia Zanotelli, provincial councilor for agriculture, promotion of Trentino products, environment, hydrogeological defense and local authorities also took part in the assembly. «The activity you have carried out with passion, sacrifice and professionalism for around 150 years – said Fait – constitutes a key element of the Civil Protection system. Continuous training and updating are the aspects on which we are committed to working more in the future in order to maintain such a professional system.”
Councilor Zanotelli highlighted the relationship, in the name of dialogue, between the Province and the Federation which recently resulted in the approval of the law aimed at simplifying the procurement sector. He then reiterated the Province’s support for the world of volunteer firefighters, in the awareness of the very important role they play, with passion and dedication, within the community.
At the opening of the meeting, the awaited moment of the presentation of merits: 1 bronze medal for particular merits in the field of firefighting, 4 bronze crosses for actions of valor and 56 Golden Flames for 40 years of commitment to firefighting volunteering.
 COMMITTED IN 2023 FOR 493 THOUSAND MAN-HOURS (+7.3%)»){kind=link}