New Magirus business unit targets civil protection and infrastructure security

by Featured NewsVehicles

Image 3: Fatmir Veselaj (CEO, Magirus Group) and Klaudia Tanner (Federal Minister of Defence, Austria) in discussion during the event “Security Creates Value” in Vienna (© Magirus)

Magirus discusses security responsibility at Vienna event

Senior representatives from politics, industry and defence gathered in Vienna on 28 April 2026 to discuss the role of security as a shared societal responsibility.

Magirus hosted the exclusive evening at the Ernst Fuchs Museum in cooperation with the international business club GPF Global and the Southeast Europe Business Development Network (SEEBDN).

The event focused on the reshaping of the European security landscape due to geopolitical conflicts and the increasing demands for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Klaudia Tanner, the Federal Minister of Defence for Austria, participated in a fireside chat titled Security Creates Value.

Tanner stated: “A neutral state must be able to defend its neutrality.

“Strengthening security in Europe sustainably requires a joint effort from business, industry, politics and society.”

Industrial turning point for Magirus Defense and Security

The company has successfully launched its Magirus Defense & Security business unit at its Radfeld site following the acquisition of Achleitner Fahrzeugbau.

Fatmir Veselaj, CEO of Magirus Group, joined a panel discussion regarding the industrial turning point and how security acts as a driver for innovation.

The new unit positions the organisation as an integrated systems provider for civil protection, disaster response and tactical solutions for security agencies.

Veselaj said: “In critical situations, every second counts.

“That is why everything we develop and produce must focus on the end user – the emergency personnel who rely on our technology in every situation.”

Industry responsibility involves developing solutions that perform in demanding conditions without waiting for political direction.

“We must not wait for political direction,” Veselaj added.

“We need to act now and develop solutions that perform when it matters most.

“Protection must not become a luxury.

“Our responsibility is to deliver the highest quality at a fair price.”

The dialogue in Vienna emphasised that managing current security challenges requires collaboration between all actors to protect society.

When responders are overwhelmed, what changes wildfire policy first?

by Featured NewsResearchWildland Fire

Wildfire risk management priorities raised in Brussels

A high-level roundtable in Brussels on 30 January 2026 discussed integrated wildfire risk management across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

The International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF) published a summary report of the discussion, which provided strategic input to an upcoming European Commission Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management.

Participants described wildfires as an increasing risk that is already overwhelming some national responders and is projected to grow in the next years.

The discussion called for an integrated approach that places greater emphasis on prevention and connects work across environmental, land-use, agricultural and civil protection policy.

A recurring theme was the role of healthy, actively managed forests and land as a first line of defence, including sustainable forest management, grazing, diversified land use, fuel management and spatial planning.

Speakers also linked fire-resilient areas to co-benefits cited in the report, including biodiversity, water protection, health, bioeconomy and rural vitality.

Sectors and obstacles highlighted for the next five years

The report sets out sector-specific changes discussed for the next five years, with investment in prevention and preparedness recurring across contributions.

In land use, forestry and agriculture, participants discussed embedding wildfire prevention objectives into legislation and funding frameworks, addressing land abandonment and making land and forest management economically viable.

Farmers, forest owners and local communities were described as indispensable partners due to their role in managing fuel and their frequent position as first responders.

In civil protection and emergency response, the discussion noted progress at EU level, alongside concerns that response systems are increasingly overwhelmed by simultaneous and extreme events.

The report links reinforced response capacity, including under rescEU and the pre-positioning of firefighters in high-risk areas, with reinforced prevention, post-fire analysis and learning, improved early detection, access to water resources and training and exchange.

In education, research and data, participants said knowledge exists yet is insufficiently scaled or operationalised, with data held by different actors including insurers identified as a possible input to improved risk assessment and decision-making.

The report also references technology including AI as a support across phases of the wildfire management cycle.

Fragmentation was identified as the dominant barrier, spanning responsibilities, funding streams and legal frameworks.

Policy silos between environment, agriculture, land use and civil protection were described as barriers to a holistic approach.

Short-term funding cycles and crisis-driven political priorities were cited as limiting sustained investment in prevention and its effectivity.

The report also notes a lack of status and release arrangements for volunteers as a barrier to spontaneous volunteering in emergencies.

The report describes the roundtable as the start of an ongoing policy dialogue on integrated wildfire risk management at EU level.

Greece receives new EU-funded firefighting vehicles to boost fire preparedness

by Aerial FirefightingFeatured NewsVehiclesWildland Fire

EU–Greece cooperation targets growing wildfire risks

The European Commission has reported that 100 firefighting vehicles were officially handed over to Greece as part of a joint civil protection effort between Greece and the European Union.

Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, representing the European Commission, announced the delivery during a visit to Greece, describing it as part of a broader preparedness effort to address the increased severity and frequency of wildfires across Europe.

The vehicles are funded under the AIGIS civil protection programme and are co-financed through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Greece is one of the most active contributors and recipients within the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, having sent assistance abroad 21 times since 2016 while also requesting help on nine occasions since 2017.

Greece’s national preparedness efforts, including these vehicles and new Canadair aircraft expected by 2028, align with the EU’s Preparedness Strategy launched in March 2025.

EU firefighting resources deployed for summer wildfire season

According to the European Commission, 22 firefighting planes and four helicopters coordinated through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism are stationed across Europe, with four planes located in Greece.

Commissioner Lahbib said the EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels remains operational around the clock and closely coordinates with national centres like Greece’s.

As part of pre-positioned seasonal assistance, 350 firefighters from six EU countries are currently deployed in Greece, including personnel from the Czech Republic.

Greece also plans to send nearly 30 firefighters to Corsica in September as part of reciprocal support.

This approach reflects a new EU-wide focus on proactive emergency readiness, which includes forward deployment of teams to expected high-risk areas.

Legislative proposals aim to strengthen emergency response

Commissioner Lahbib announced a new legislative proposal intended to enhance the EU’s ability to anticipate and respond to complex emergencies, including wildfires, earthquakes, and other transboundary crises.

The proposed legislation includes provisions to expand financial support for preparedness and multi-sector emergency response, particularly where impacts affect energy, communications, or transport infrastructure.

The Commissioner said the aim is to formalise the bloc’s support mechanisms into a more coordinated and better-resourced response system.

The proposal builds on lessons from events such as the 2023 Alexandroupolis wildfires and earlier COVID-19 response coordination efforts.

The legislative initiative is part of the EU’s broader strategy to improve civil protection resilience across all member states.

Civil protection coordination draws on past experience

According to the European Commission, Greece has participated in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism as both a donor and recipient in recent years.

Notably, Greece provided assistance to Albania and North Macedonia in the past two weeks, demonstrating ongoing bilateral cooperation.

In August 2023, Greece requested EU assistance to help tackle the Alexandroupolis fire, the largest ever recorded in Europe.

Such examples of mutual aid are now a standard part of the EU’s regional emergency management planning, and Greece continues to play a central role in field operations.

Commissioner Lahbib highlighted that Greece’s earlier introduction of pre-positioned fire crews inspired the broader EU model.

Preparedness strategy supports national and cross-border efforts

The European Commission launched its Preparedness Strategy in March 2025 as the first comprehensive EU-wide approach to civil protection readiness.

This framework supports cross-border cooperation, pre-positioning of resources, and national-level investment in response infrastructure.

Greece’s AIGIS programme and the new fleet of firefighting vehicles are examples of projects co-funded under this strategy using Recovery and Resilience Facility grants.

Commissioner Lahbib said: “These firefighting vehicles are not just impressive machines. They represent protection, preparedness, and partnership.”

She added: “We are not only responding. We are preparing.”

Greece receives new EU-funded firefighting vehicles to boost fire preparedness: Summary

The European Commission has delivered 100 firefighting vehicles to Greece.

The vehicles are funded through the AIGIS civil protection programme.

The programme is co-financed by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The handover follows a meeting between Commissioner Hadja Lahbib and Greek officials.

Lahbib confirmed the vehicles would support Greece’s national fire response.

The vehicles are part of the EU’s broader Preparedness Strategy.

Greece hosts four firefighting planes from the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

A total of 22 planes and 4 helicopters are on standby across Europe.

Greece has also received 350 firefighters from six EU countries.

The EU launched new legislation to expand emergency response capacity.

This proposal aims to manage complex and multi-sector disasters.

Greece contributed to recent operations in Albania and North Macedonia.

The EU supported Greece during the Alexandroupolis fires in 2023.

The European Commission’s Preparedness Strategy was launched in March 2025.

New Canadair aircraft for Greece will arrive by 2028.

Greece will send firefighters to Corsica in September 2025.

European Parliament forms civil protection and resilience intergroup

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafety

Creation of the civil protection intergroup

The European Parliament has announced the establishment of the “Resilience, Disaster Management and Civil Protection” intergroup.

This initiative, introduced by Members of the European Parliament Grégory Allione (Renew Europe, France), Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium), Christophe Clergeau (S&D, France), and Matej Tonin (EPP, Slovenia), focuses on civil protection and resilience across the European Union.

The intergroup aims to enhance European coordination on civil protection, improve disaster management policies, and increase support for firefighters, volunteers, and other civil protection professionals.

According to Grégory Allione: “This platform is a key step to bring visibility to the challenges of civil protection and resilience at the European level.”

Strengthening crisis preparedness

The intergroup intends to address a wide range of crises, including natural disasters and technological emergencies.

It aims to bridge gaps between policymakers, experts, and frontline responders.

Grégory Allione explained: “With this intergroup, we aim to support those who dedicate themselves daily to saving lives and protecting our territories.”

This collaborative approach is designed to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and resilience by fostering cross-sector dialogue and improved policy frameworks.

A step towards inclusive European policies

This development aligns with the European Union’s broader goals of inclusive and effective crisis management.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has highlighted the importance of resilience by assigning a crisis preparedness portfolio to Commissioner Hadja Lahbib.

The intergroup builds on this momentum, advocating for a holistic approach to civil protection that addresses the needs of volunteers and professionals while prioritising cross-border cooperation.

Recognition for civil protection actors

The creation of the intergroup also seeks to improve the recognition and protection of civil protection workers.

These individuals often operate in high-risk environments, and the intergroup intends to ensure better safeguards and support for their roles.

“This initiative represents a commitment to building a stronger, safer, and more resilient Europe,” Allione concluded, emphasising the importance of collaboration at every level to achieve these goals.

European Parliament forms civil protection and resilience intergroup: Summary

The European Parliament has introduced the “Resilience, Disaster Management and Civil Protection” intergroup, led by Grégory Allione and other MEPs.

This group will prioritise disaster management, enhance EU-wide civil protection, and advocate for improved recognition and safety measures for firefighters and volunteers.

The initiative strengthens European coordination on crisis preparedness and aligns with the EU’s broader goals of inclusive civil protection policies.

This effort reflects growing awareness within the EU and aims to build bridges between policymakers and field actors to create a safer and more resilient Europe.

PACDA issues advice to avoid summer fires

by Middle East - Projects

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection in industrial facilities to avoid summer fires.

“Property damage and material losses due to fires are being caused because of the high temperatures expected during the summer and the failure of some industrial establishments in meeting requirements of civil protection,” PACDA said.

According to data published by the authority, the number of recorded fires in industrial facilities in 2019 reached 47 fire accidents, compared to 61 fire accidents in 2018, with a decrease of 23%.

In order to prevent fires in industrial installations, the PACDA has called for compliance with the requirements of civil protection, such as periodic maintenance of the facility’s fire and alarm systems, and the implementation of safety procedures in storage, and other aspects that pose a threat to the facilities, their employees and their users.

PACDA has also called for the preparation of an emergency plan for the facility and to train workers on how to implement it. They added that, “the authority is ready to provide support and assistance in preparing the emergency plan for the facilities and carrying out practical exercises to ensure the suitability of the plan with the nature and size of the facility.”