Participation of the Crisis Information Centre in the S.A.F.E. 2026 Rescue Exercise in Świeradów-Zdrój

On 16–18 June 2026, the S.A.F.E. 2026 rescue exercise was held in Świeradów-Zdrój, involving nearly 200 rescuers from specialised Ground Forest Fire Fighting (GFFF) and Ground Forest Fire Fighting using Vehicles (GFFFV) modules, as well as logistics units and two helicopters.

During the exercise, firefighters enhanced their skills in conducting operations in difficult-to-access mountainous terrain, establishing operational bases, and carrying out international cooperation activities within the framework of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.

The aviation component included directing water drops using a helicopter-borne firefighting bucket and coordinating with helicopters during the establishment and sustainment of an isolated operational sector for a GFFF ground team operating away from road access routes.

Our team coordinated aerial operations (as part of a pilot training module for Air Operations Coordinators and Flight Directors), contributed to the development of TACO (Tactical Aircraft Coordination Officer) procedures and working methods, and provided field reconnaissance while simultaneously testing the CS HUB PL Consolidator application.