Bulgaria unveils new firefighting equipment as peak wildfire season begins

Bulgaria has unveiled new equipment for firefighters and volunteer response teams as the country enters the peak wildfire season. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said improved coordination between state institutions had left Bulgaria better prepared to tackle wildfires this year. The equipment was acquired under the EU co-funded Human Resources Development Programme 2021-2027.

More than 130 firefighters and volunteers have been trained under the project so far, while around 30 drones and nearly 500 pieces of firefighting and communications equipment have been delivered, Demerdzhiev said.

"The focus is on prevention, early detection and rapid response to keep fires from spreading," he said, thanking volunteer teams for their growing contribution to disaster response.

Labour and Social Policy Minister Natalia Efremova said more than 1,500 people would receive training under the project. The programme would provide practical field skills while supporting the development of volunteer response teams, she added.

Editor: Diana Tsankova