Kogukondade valmisolek kriisideks

The aim of the project was to train a total of 24 volunteer rescue experts (12 from Estonia and 12 from Iceland), providing them with in-depth practical skills and knowledge in areas that are crit...

The aim of the project was to train a total of 24 volunteer rescue experts (12 from Estonia and 12 from Iceland), providing them with in-depth practical skills and knowledge in areas that are critical in their home countries but where experience has been limited to date. The Estonians' goal was to obtain international Rescue 3 certification in fast-flowing water and flood rescue, as well as to acquire knowledge in rubble rescue and civil protection management in crisis situations. The Icelanders' goal was to acquire practical skills in preventing and extinguishing forest, landscape, and lichen fires. In addition, we wanted to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations so that we would be ready to support each other internationally in future crises. As a result of the project, the two organizations now have a stronger understanding of each other's operations, making it easier to integrate international volunteers into rescue operations in the event of major crises.

The project included two carefully planned week-long study trips, each designed to maximize experiential learning and mutual exchange of experiences between partner organizations. 1. Estonian volunteer rescuers in Iceland (October 2024): Participants completed the internationally recognized Rescue 3 training program, which offered advanced instruction in swift water and flood rescue. The training was complemented by a visit to the Grindavik area, where there is an active civil protection crisis, where participants learned about large-scale evacuation of and rescue from rubble. 2. Icelandic volunteer rescuers in Estonia (May 2025): Participants took part in intensive practical training in the prevention and extinguishing of forest, wildland and peat fires. The program included participation in a large-scale field exercise by the Estonian technical rescue unit in Oisu, observation visits to both professional and volunteer firefighters, and structured knowledge exchange sessions focusing on community fire safety awareness and public risk communication strategies. In addition, knowledge was shared about the situation on the Estonian-Russian border in Ukraine and Estonia's preparedness for military aggression.

As a result of the project, we now have: - 24 trained volunteer rescue experts (12 from Estonia, 12 from Iceland). - International Rescue 3 certificates for 12 Estonian volunteers, enabling them to train other rescuers. - Icelandic volunteers with practical skills in extinguishing wildfires and forest fires and preventing fire safety, which they can use to support their professional rescuers. - Two comprehensive photo packages, which have been shared on the organizations' websites and social media channels. For participants gallery from the study / Päästeliit in Iceland (october): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBLqZo For participants gallery from the study / ICE-SAR in Estonia (may): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCh9Aa - Strengthened cooperation between the two organizations and harmonized practices in providing international assistance. Partners have discussed possibilities to further expand their cooperation through different projects and activities. Iceland has hosted the Estonians on their biennual conference Rescue 2024, we have been in constant communication regarding various issues and discussed various SAR matters during our meetings in Estonia and Iceland that are not part of the Erasmus scope.