July 20 (BTA) - A draft strategy for the development of
volunteer formations to help with natural disasters and fires
during the 2021-2030, published for public discussion on
July 15, shows that a total of 238 volunteer units consisting of
 
3,181 volunteers were registered by municipal mayors. This
means that around 90 per cent of this country's municipalities
are covered. Volunteers are needed in 28 municipalities, in
six of which volunteer units must be established, according to
the Protection against Disasters Act.

The Fire Safety and Civil Protection Chief Directorate (FSCPCD)
has responded to 530,000 incidents between 2012 and 2020, which
averages out to 220 incidents per municipality. During the same
period, volunteer formations have mainly taken part in limiting
and putting out forest and field fires, carrying out rescue
operations and emergency reconstruction activities, related to
floods, heavy snow and blizzards. Between 2016 and 2020,
volunteers have responded to over 500 incidents each year. In
2020, they have helped local and municipal administrations deal
with the spread of COVID-19.

The strategy notes a series of problems related to the
establishment, training and technical equipment of volunteer
units. Of all 238 such units, only 29 meet the minimum number of
 required volunteers, while 96 have not responded to incidents
or dealing with their aftermath. Only 143 volunteer units have a
 building at their disposal, 110 have a garage unit, 74 have a
fire truck, 27 have a rescue vehicle, 125 have a transport
vehicles and 95 have firefighting and rescue equipment.

According to the document, only 55 volunteer units can be
defined as standalone units, capable of ensuring a team of at
least three volunteers, a fire/rescue vehicle, a building and
equipment for each volunteer.
 
A total of 2,295 volunteers have completed the initial training
course, which translates into around 72 per cent of all
volunteers. Only 165 volunteers have completed specialized
firefighting and rescue training. The strategy's analysis notes
the lack of motivation, time for training and stimuli for
citizens to become volunteers.

Eighty municipalities do not have a FSCPCD territorial unit.
Mayors are not convinced about the importance and role of
volunteer units. In addition to that, the delegated State
funding allocated to formations is not fully absorbed. The
National Association of Volunteers in the Republic of Bulgaria
(NAVRB) is criticized for not fully meeting its objectives. The
reason the shortage of members who can ensure the Association's
national representation.

The goal of the Strategy for Development of Volunteer Units
until 2030 is to deal with the problems established during the
analysis of the strategy's implementation during the previous
period. A balance will be sought between the responsibilities of
 the institutions involved in developing volunteering through a
more active participation of FSCPCD and NAVRB in recruiting
volunteers, organizing the activities of volunteer units,
expanding membership and providing training to volunteers.
Another objective is to improve FSCPCD's involvement with
younger people. RI/MY
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