The collaboration between the Sicilian Region and the Fire Brigade against forest fires on the island has been renewed through regional funding to strengthen additional firefighting teams. The agreement has been signed which will remain operational until Friday 13 September for actions both to prevent and combat fires. The financial commitment for the administration is 2.5 million euros.
In 2023 there were 14 additional teams involved, this year they become 19 with a workforce of 116 people. The Agrigento and Cammarata stations, already activated last year, have been confirmed. All the units, made up of five elements each, will be operational from 8am to 8pm. The firefighting operations will be coordinated by the forestry corps and the firefighters with the support of the volunteer firefighting teams trained, equipped and subsidised, also for the costs of consumption, by the regional civil protection department. These teams will be able to intervene directly in cases of small outbreaks.
“This year too – says President Renato Schifani – we have renewed the agreement with the national fire brigade for stronger and more synergistic action against forest fires. Greater resources have been committed which will allow us to strengthen the presence of personnel and vehicles, making it more widespread across the territory, especially in the places furthest from the detachments. In this context we have extended the duration of the firefighting campaign from 15 May to 31 October and we can count, as a region, on 120 new vehicles and 190 Corps stations. forestry and over 300 teams of Civil Protection volunteers with an additional supply of a further 70 vehicles. In the meantime, the project of the single regional control room for emergencies continues which from next year will unite the Civil Protection and Forestry Corps forces, also with the use of cutting-edge systems for monitoring the territory with a synergistic prevention perspective”.
Added to the ground interventions are those by air with the use of ten light helicopters rented by the Region and one in agreement with the Carabinieri which are located in strategic areas and will be able to obtain supplies in the 50 new supply tanks. They will also have the support, if necessary, of the national air fleet: Canadair and heavy helicopters. An important prevention action is that of monitoring and patrolling the areas at risk carried out by additional teams of Civil Protection volunteers on routes indicated by the forestry corps or the mayors. Various prefectures and police headquarters have organized activities to monitor and monitor areas at risk on “red flag” days.
