Field Report Exchange of Experts in Civil Protection

This field report documents the Exchange of Experts (EoE) program focused on civil protection practices for controlling large-scale wildfires in Andalucia, Spain, hosted by INFOCA, the region's specialised forest fire management agency. Conducted from 28 October to 01 November, the program provided an in-depth exploration of Andalucia’s comprehensive approach to wildfire hazard management, including prevention, preparedness, suppression, and post-event analysis. This exchange aimed to facilitate knowledge transfer among participating experts by showcasing innovative practices, operational tactics, and equipment used in managing wildfire risks within the region. As experts taking part in this exchange, six fire officers from the Provincial Fire Service Association of the Austrian Province of Styria (Landesfeuerwehrverband Steiermark) have been selected. Styria shares a lot of similarities with Andalucia and is therefore a perfect learning ground for the Austrian experts.

Each day of the exchange was meticulously structured to balance theoretical discussions, practical demonstrations, and debriefings to ensure comprehensive learning. Key highlights included visits to regional, subregional, and local coordination centers, as well as a helitack base, where participants observed the coordination of aerial resources and physical training for firefighters. The program concluded with a consolidated debriefing session to reflect on the lessons learned and discuss potential proposals for enhancing wildfire management practices.

This report synthesises the experiences and observations gathered during the exchange, providing valuable insights into Andalucia’s multifaceted approach to wildfire control and its potential applications in other regions facing similar hazards.

Contact information:
Landesfeuerwehrverband Steiermark
Florianistrasse 22
8403 Lebring – Austria