by Nastassja Martin
Trieste’s municipal Civil Protection volunteer group responded to wildfires, expanded emergency preparedness programs and strengthened public outreach during the first half of 2026, city officials said Wednesday while presenting a six-month activity report.
Speaking at the city’s Local Police headquarters, City Councilor for Public Safety Caterina de Gavardo said the group’s work is divided between emergency response and community education.
“Our volunteers are engaged in training, public awareness and outreach in schools, neighborhood councils and the wider community, while also maintaining continuous professional training and responding to emergencies,” de Gavardo said. She noted that two team leaders are currently deployed in Sardinia as part of an exchange program between regional Civil Protection organizations, while volunteers recently assisted efforts to contain wildfires near Monrupino and Bristie. She also welcomed four new volunteers who joined the group in June.
Deputy Local Police Commander Paolo Jerman said the volunteer force has become an increasingly important part of the city’s emergency response network over the years.
The Trieste Municipal Civil Protection Volunteer Group, established 41 years ago, now consists of 44 members, including one coordinator and seven team leaders. Volunteers serve without pay and are primarily involved in wildfire prevention and response, while also supporting emergency preparedness initiatives and disaster response across the region.
Before taking part in field operations, each volunteer completes specialized training coordinated by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Civil Protection agency, which provides ongoing instruction in areas including flood response, wildfire suppression, off-road vehicle operation and radio communications. The regional network also allows volunteers to participate in assignments outside the region.
During recent wildfires near Monrupino and Bristie, teams of four to five volunteers per shift worked alongside the Forestry Corps, volunteer firefighters and Civil Protection personnel from neighboring municipalities, using two to three vehicles during six-hour rotations.
Education and Prevention
The volunteer group also devoted significant effort to public education during the school year, reaching more than 2,000 students across kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools and high schools through 78 hours of educational activities.
The sessions focused on disaster preparedness, climate-related risks and practical actions citizens can take before and during emergencies. Volunteers also explained the role of Civil Protection organizations and discussed the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Friuli earthquake, widely regarded as a defining event in the development of Italy’s modern Civil Protection system.
Students were introduced to the city’s designated emergency gathering areas, where residents are expected to assemble following major disasters. Officials said familiarizing citizens with these locations is a key component of community preparedness.
An additional summer workshop is scheduled for July 31 at the Padovan recreation center, combining classroom instruction with practical demonstrations using Civil Protection vehicles.
Outreach to Neighborhood Councils
Since February, volunteers have also held meetings with Trieste’s seven neighborhood councils to explain the city’s Municipal Emergency Plan and the location and purpose of designated emergency assembly areas throughout the city.
The initiative aims to equip local councils with information they can share with residents, strengthening public awareness of emergency procedures and improving community preparedness.
Officials said the Municipal Emergency Plan remains publicly available through the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Civil Protection portal and the institutional websites of the Municipality of Trieste and the Local Police.
