Montenegro lies in a seismically active zone and is particularly vulnerable to heat waves, forest fires, short-time precipitation and floods. In this respect, major efforts are needed to reduce the risks from natural disasters.

This project focuses on providing support to emergency medical and rescue services in Montenegro in order to enhance and streamline its capacities and delivery of services in line with EU and international standards. More precisely, it aims to improve the ability and expand the versatility of the search and rescue missions of the Ministry of the Interior’s Aviation and Helicopter Unit. This Unit provides assistance from the air to efforts aimed at rescuing and protecting citizens and assets in case of emergency. As their tasks are related to firefighting, transportation of ill and injured persons and search and rescue activities, this project gives an opportunity to the Unit staff to undergo different types of training.

Thanks to this project, the staff of the Ministry of the Interior’s Aviation and Helicopter Unit completed training for helicopter pilots in wildland/urban interface firefighting. Helicopter pilots also received training in transporting external loads during flight (hooked under or on side of the helicopter) and training in helicopter equipment maintenance. Also, the project featured a training course for firefighters (ground rescue team) to coordinate with the helicopter team over radio.