The State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in cooperation with the Klaipėda County Office of the Fire and Rescue Department of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania launched the implementation of the project “Improving cross-border cooperation between fire and rescue services in the field of flood response in the Zemgale and Klaipėda regions” (FloodAdapt, LL-00105) in February last year, and now its third period has been successfully completed.
The project successfully implemented the purchase of special equipment and machinery to combat the consequences of floods. Demarcation walls (up to 500 m), high-pressure washing equipment, portable lighting stations, inflatable life jackets, long overall boots, flood monitoring lights and other equipment have already been purchased.
Staff training in the safe use of equipment has also been provided – 10 officials have obtained BE and CE category driving licenses. At the same time, communication activities in Latvia and Lithuania are also actively continuing.
In early July, a meeting of representatives of the fire and rescue services of both countries took place in Jelgava, during which a scenario was developed for the upcoming practical exercises, which will take place in Lithuania in September. The participants evaluated the training plan prepared by their Lithuanian colleagues, as well as agreed on the main tasks and resources that will be involved from both sides.
The practical exercises on Rusne Island in Lithuania, which are one of the main activities planned in the project and which aim to improve cooperation and capabilities of the services of both countries in overcoming flood threats, are planned to be implemented in the final period of the project implementation. The exercises will pay special attention to the simulation of the evacuation of residents from flooded areas.
The project is implemented within the framework of the Latvian-Lithuanian Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021–2027. The total project budget is EUR 417,360. The European Regional Development Fund co-financing is EUR 333,890.
The aim of the European Regional Development Fund Interreg Latvia-Lithuania Programme 2021-2027 is to promote capacity building, people-to-people cooperation and public awareness, as well as to promote green, resilient and sustainable development. Additional information about the Latvia-Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021-2027 is available on the website: www.latlit.eu.
