The provision of new and up-to-date vehicles and equipment is helping Bulgaria’s fire brigade improve its service. This large-scale upgrade allows the brigade to deliver quicker response times to emergencies, which helps to cut the number of deaths and injuries caused by fire while reducing damage to property.
- 17 June 2015
The investment covers the country’s seven largest cities, plus another 29 urban areas, which is equivalent to 86 municipalities. Estimates indicate that the new vehicles and equipment should lead to a 2.25 % reduction in casualties from fires; a 3.9 % reduction in the number of people injured in fires; an 8 % reduction in material losses due to reduced response times; and a 25 % reduction of greenhouse gas emissions released by fire fighting vehicles. In addition, around 5 100 people benefit from forest fire protection and related measures.
Addressing need
The project addresses identified needs in a comprehensive way through the purchase of a range of vehicles which have light, medium and heavy capacities. Funding also provides for:
respiratory and other specialised protective equipment,protective clothing for emergency teams,lifting equipment, including ladders, andequipment for testing the fire resistance of construction materials.Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Modernisation of Fire Services in the 86 Agglomeration Areas through Supply of Fire Vehicles and Equipment” is EUR 51 000 000, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 43 350 000 from the Operational Programme “Regional Development” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period. Work falls under the priority “Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development”.