Cătălin Predoiu, on Firefighters’ Day: The equipment and organization of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and the National Emergency Situations System represent a model in Europe

Minister of Internal Affairs Cătălin Predoiu conveyed a message on the occasion of Firefighters’ Day, highlighting the sacrifice, professionalism, and heroism of those who intervene to save lives. He spoke about the development of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, investments in equipment, and the new risks faced by emergency response structures.

In 2026, 178 years will be commemorated since the battle on Dealul Spirii, considered the emotional and historical cornerstone of the firefighting service. Predoiu argued that integrating firefighters, paramedics, aviation, and technical structures into the National Emergency Situations System has reduced response times and increased the chances of survival.

The minister described the IGSU’s equipment and the organization of the system as a model in Europe, studied even by European and NATO structures. He attributed the development of the equipment to Raed Arafat’s vision and the use of European funds. Predoiu emphasized that nine out of ten Romanians trust firefighters and called for modernization to continue through innovation, reorganization, and the strengthening of organizational culture.

Among the new threats, the minister listed drones, large-scale fires, forest fires associated with natural disasters, and floods. He called for counter-drone technologies and adapted legislation, after Romania faced incidents involving drones almost weekly this summer.

Predoiu also mentioned the interventions of Romanian firefighters in France, Greece, and Serbia. This year, they have taken part in more than 400,000 emergency missions in Romania.