Finland to send wildfire expert to Czechia

Finland will send a wildfire preparedness expert to Czechia responding to request made by the country through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Friday.

Czechia aims to enhance preparedness for and prevention of forest fires. The serious forest fires in 2022 alerted the country to the need for enhancing preparedness.

Finland will send a risk management expert to a three-week assignment in Czechia.

International civil protection operations refer to the provision of assistance under international treaties and legislation. Operations are undertaken in situations such as natural or man-made disasters and incidents that overwhelm the country’s own response capacities.

Finland participates in international civil protection operations through the European Union and international organisations.

The Ministry of the Interior decides on the provision of international assistance in the field of rescue services, that is, civil protection. The Emergency Services Academy Finland is the employer of seconded experts and bears responsibility for the training, recruitment and logistics of experts and the practical implementation of international civil protection operations.