Volunteer firefighters unit in Mereni to be expanded with modular space

In Mereni, Anenii Noi district, the volunteer firefighters station will benefit from a recreation space dedicated to rescuers. The project includes setting up a locker room, a rest area, and a coffee corner – a place where firefighters can recover after interventions and trainings.

To improve working conditions at the station, Mereni city hall benefits from financial support from the European Union, implemented by the Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.


“With these funds, we will build a modular space that we will use as a locker room and facilities, and additionally, it will be used as a space where we will organize trainings and meetings with children,” said the mayor of the locality, Alexandru Bîrca.


He also mentioned that the idea to modernize and equip the fire station arose after an incident that could have had serious consequences.

The project for developing the volunteer firefighter network in the Republic of Moldova is being carried out through the EU for Moldova project, funded by the European Union and implemented with support from Polish partners.

During a visit to the volunteer firefighter unit in Mereni, EU ambassador to Chisinau Iwona Piorko noted that this initiative contributes to strengthening the resilience of local communities.


“Through the EU for Moldova project, we have worked together to strengthen the network of volunteer firefighters in the Republic of Moldova. This support reflects our shared belief that real resilience starts at the community level,” said the diplomat.




Thanks to the European project, 10 new volunteer firefighter stations will be inaugurated across the country, expanding the network from 25 to 35 stations. At the same time, existing units will be modernized, equipped with new equipment, and will benefit from additional training and operational support.


“These investments are not just numbers – they mean shorter response times, safer working conditions, and more lives protected. The message is clear: your service is appreciated not only here, in Moldova, but across the entire European family. Volunteer firefighters are a European tradition we are proud of, a tradition that unites generations and strengthens community bonds,” Iwona Piorko highlighted.




Under the project, volunteer firefighters benefit from free training organized at the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. Moreover, volunteer rescuers can also obtain, free of charge, a category C driving license.

The volunteer firefighter unit in Mereni was created in 2017 and currently serves four nearby villages. Just last year, rescuers intervened in 10 fires, most of them vegetation fires.

Beneficiaries of the project EU4Moldova Resilience: Secure State, Strong Communities are 10 localities, which will be able to access funds of up to 418,000 lei, thus contributing to modernizing the intervention infrastructure and improving working conditions for rescue teams.

The benefiting localities are: Mereni (Anenii Noi), Sireți (Strășeni), Larga (Briceni), Scoreni (Strășeni), Răzeni (Ialoveni), Suhuluceni (Telenești), Cărpineni (Hâncești), Tomai (UTA Găgăuzia), Lalova (Rezina) and Geamăna (Anenii Noi).

The renovation works include improving existing infrastructure, such as repairing ceilings, floors, ventilation and insulation systems, as well as modernizing sanitary spaces or rest areas.