CAD
The goal of the international Erasmus+ cooperation project "Communities Against Disasters" is the exchange of knowledge and joint exercises with Icelandic volunteer rescuers from the institution Slysavarnafélagið Landsbjörg.
The original inspiration for the project is an UN report which predicts more severe storms and floods for Estonia due to climate warming. Tthe risk of wildfires is increasing for Iceland. In the course of project activities, the field of disaster relief was added due to the war in Ukraine.
The Estonian side got acquainted with the working principles of INSARAG in solving major accidents. During the exercises, rescue operations were practiced in the case of floods and swift waters (using a throw line, getting out of water, independently, overcoming obstacles).
The Icelandic side got acquainted with the working principles and logic of extinguishing wildfires. During the exercises, the basic activities of extinguishing a landscape fire were practiced (setting up the hose system, ensuring water supply, extinguishing). With the help of virtual reality, an exercise of response to a major accident and cooperation between different structures was carried out.
MATERIALS:
VIDEO: Introduction to firefighting and wildfires 1
VIDEO: Introduction to firefighting and wildfires 2
VIDEO: Introduction to firefighting and wildfires 3
VIDEO: Introduction to firefighting and wildfires 4
Founding of the Rescue Association
Estonian Rescue Association was founded on the 22nd of January 2010 in the Parliament. This was preceded by four years of discussions and debates in various places in Estonia - Tartu, Elva, Türi, Viljandi and Eidapere, with the participation of over a dozen of the most active societies across Estonia.Safe Estonia 2025
At the General Assembly held in Narva on 4-5 November 2016, the Rescue League adopted a new vision "Secure Estonia 2025", which envisaged:
- making rescue units into community safety centres;
- bringing population protection skills to the people.
Estonian firefighting and rescue 100
On the 7th of September 1919, voluntary fire-fighting associations founded a national fire-fighting organisation - the Estonian National Fire-Fighting Union - in the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn. This laid the legal foundations for nationwide joint voluntary fire-fighting activities. Today, Estonian Firefighters Day is celebrated on the seventh day of September.Estonian Rescue Association is the continuation of the Firefighters Union.
Merger of the Estonian Rescue Association and the Estonian Firefighters' Union
On January 3rd, the merger of the Estonian Rescue Association and the Estonian Firefighters' Union was confirmed by a register entry. The Estonian Firefighters' Association will continue to carry on the more than 100 years of continuity in voluntary rescue.With the merger, all the activities of the Estonian Firefighters Union (including professional training and assessment of chimney sweeps) and traditions such as the awarding of medals will be transferred to the Estonian Rescue Union.
Estonian Rescue Association started helping Ukraine
Russia's aggression in Ukraine, which began on the 24th of February 2022, galvanised the Estonian Rescue Association into action.A project to help Ukraine was launched, which has grown to over €6 million thanks to donors and volunteer rescuers.
Estonian Rescue Association signs cooperation agreement with Ukrainian volunteer rescue umbrella organisation
On the 7th of September 2023, the Estonian Rescue Association signed a cooperation memorandum with the umbrella organisation of Ukrainian volunteer rescuers.The aim of the cooperation agreement is to share knowledge, exchange experience and educate each other on different rescue topics.
Technical Rescue Unit was created
In February 2024, the ERA approved the statute for the creation of a technical rescue unit, unique in Estonia. The aim of the unit is to mitigate human casualties caused by large-scale crises and to fill a gap in the current organisation of civil protection.3000+
volunteers
7000+
call responses
120
unions
8000h
prevention work
Rescue on land
A ground rescue unit is usually a volunteer fire company with at least one main vehicle, a crew operating it, and associated equipment.
Maritime rescue
The heart of the maritime rescue unit is the rescue boat, the crew using it, and the relevant communication and special equipment.
Special rescue
Several associations related to specific rescue operations have emerged in Estonia over the past few decades. For example, there are associations whose efforts have been spent on raising and training water rescue dogs.
info@paasteliit.ee
+372 527 4112
Sirge 2, 10618 Tallinn, Eesti
PÄÄSTELIIT
Register number 80302703
IBAN EE547700771002741382