PHOTO // Volunteer Firefighters Festival held in Gura Bâcului

The fourth edition of Volunteer Firefighters Festival is taking place today at the stadium in the village of Gura Bâcului, Anenii Noi district, bringing together over 150 volunteer firefighters and rescuers from across the country. The event, which has become a tradition, highlights the courage, strength, and team spirit of those who often are the first to intervene in emergencies.

The festival's opening is attended by Daniella Misail-Nichitin, Minister of Internal Affairs, Iwona Piórko, European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova and Tomasz Kobzdej, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland.

EU Ambassador to Chișinău: “Volunteer firefighters are the heart of communities”

The European Union Ambassador highlighted the essential role of volunteer firefighters in protecting people and communities:


"I want to express my gratitude to each of you. Your commitment and readiness to act in moments of danger represent the most important form of public service. Your role is invaluable: in emergencies, you, the volunteer firefighters, are the first to respond in those critical moments. You are truly the heart of the fire service.

The message is clear: your service is appreciated not only here in Moldova but across the entire European family. Volunteer firefighters represent a European tradition we are proud of, a tradition that unites generations and strengthens community bonds."


The Ambassador also mentioned the EU project for Moldova, through which ten new volunteer firefighter stations will be built, and existing ones will be modernized with new equipment and additional training. Iwona Piórko shared that personal experiences have strengthened her appreciation for volunteer firefighters:


"I am from Poland, and there we have our volunteer firefighting service. Today, I am deeply moved by what I see here. I have childhood memories when my grandmother's house caught fire, and we managed to save everything important thanks to the intervention of volunteer firefighters. I want to thank both the firefighters in Poland and the volunteer firefighters in the Republic of Moldova for the extraordinary work you do."


Poland supports the Republic of Moldova in developing the civil protection system

The cooperation between Polish services and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Republic of Moldova is ongoing at various levels and through various means, the Polish ambassador, Tomasz Kobzdej, remarked. The diplomat noted that the Polish State Fire Service maintains direct and permanent ties with the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in Moldova, facilitating the exchange of experiences and best practices.

In parallel, Polish authorities and the Polish Solidarity Fund implement numerous projects at the national level, and local authorities in Poland offer support to their Moldovan counterparts for training and equipping volunteer fire teams.


"We are convinced that developing strong networks of state and volunteer firefighters is a way to strengthen the resilience of both the country and communities. Firefighters are not just those who extinguish fires: they are active, physically well-prepared, and involved members of local communities. Firefighters are local leaders, and the stronger they are, the stronger the community.

You, men and women in uniforms, represent the frontline of defense in turbulent times when fires arise not only from negligence but also as a result of intentional actions. My message is clear: let us honor firefighters and their service. Through this, we admire a modern and intelligent patriotism.

I have personally experienced the importance of volunteer firefighter intervention. In Poland, in recent months, we have had similar situations, and volunteer firefighters made a difference," stated the Polish ambassador.


IGSU supports volunteering as a model of civic engagement

The head of IGSU, Aurel Baciu, welcomed the effort of volunteer firefighters, emphasizing that this event is not just a celebration but a recognition of the courage and dedication of those who intervene in critical moments. Baciu remarked on the importance of volunteers in rural areas, where fire stations contribute to reducing response time and often make the difference between life and death.

The head of IGSU reiterated his commitment to supporting volunteering as a model of civic engagement, thus aligning the Republic of Moldova with European standards in the field of civil protection.


"Volunteer firefighters constitute the primary intervention in rural areas. Thanks to strategically placed stations throughout the Republic of Moldova, citizens benefit from increased protection in emergency and exceptional situations.

Your activity significantly reduces response time and frequently contributes to saving lives. Through devotion and altruism, you demonstrate fundamental values for the safety of younger generations, providing an exemplary model to follow. Your choice to be part of the Great Family of Firefighters in the Republic of Moldova, united by courage, dedication, and the spirit of sacrifice, is a source of pride for the entire society.

The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations continues to support volunteering, considering it a model of civic engagement and aligning the Republic of Moldova with European standards in the field of civil protection," stated Aurel Baciu.


The festival includes competitions in specific emergency intervention activities 

The Volunteer Firefighters Festival continues today with presentations, demonstrations, and activities dedicated to the community, showcasing the work of these dedicated individuals and the spirit of solidarity.


"We are pleased that our village is hosting this important event. Twenty teams will compete. The festival gathers many people each year and promotes community solidarity. We are honored by the presence of the European Union ambassador and the ambassadors from Poland and Kazakhstan at this event," stated Lilia Brehova, the mayor of Gura Bâcului.


The head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Aurel Baciu, said that the festival includes competitions in "specific emergency intervention activities – deploying equipment, the use of extinguishing means and simulating fire outbreaks or other critical situations."


"Participants were trained and supported by IGSU employees, who provide advisory and technical support," added Baciu.


Baciu said that in the Republic of Moldova there are 22 volunteer firefighter stations and another 59 managed by local public authorities.

The festival also includes an exhibition of intervention equipment and techniques, practical workshops for citizens on providing first aid and fire prevention, as well as a children's entertainment area with educational activities, virtual reality games, and a cultural program with music and cheer.

The event is part of the EU4Moldova Resilience: Secure State, Strong Communities project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, an initiative that supports the development of a network of volunteer firefighters and the strengthening of local intervention capacities.