CTIF gathered volunteers in Amsterdam

25.September 2024 hendrik Estonian Rescue Association has just returned from Amsterdam, where the annual meeting of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services was held.

This year the General Assembly of CTIF discussed about social guarantees for volunteer rescuers in the Member States.

On the first day, we were given an overview of the work of the volunteer fire brigade, Amsterdam-Amstelland, located in the centre of Amsterdam. Volunteers make up 80% of all rescuers in the Netherlands, so they are highly valued contributors to the country. It is noteworthy in the Netherlands that the training of volunteer rescuers is on a par with that of volunteer firefighters. With the aim of being on the same level as a professional rescuer.

This, however, brings the training of volunteers to an average of 2 years, whereas it is only 3-4 months for professionals. Volunteers' training is longer because they are like Estonians - working during the day, but can attend training after the working day and at weekends, which significantly extends the time needed to complete the same programme.

During our stay there, the volunteers were also challenged. In typical Dutch fashion, it was a burning bicycle.

On the second day, we looked at the social guarantees of the different countries, where all the countries present had the opportunity to present the opportunities and benefits for volunteers in their country. Piia Kallas, the head of the Estonian Rescue Union, spoke about Estonia's opportunities, highlighting the Rescue Union's ability to work, which today has resulted in all volunteers having equal conditions with professionals in the event of an accident. In addition, we were able to highlight the support of ERGO insurance for the volunteers of the Rescue Union.

It was good to see that in most countries volunteers are valued and that there are many social guarantees. The general meeting gave us some good ideas for the Rescue Union that could be implemented in Estonia to create a greater sense of security for volunteers in the field of rescue.

Big thanks to Brandweer Nederland for creating a forever memorable event in Amsterdam! And also thank you, Brandweer Amsterdam-Amstelland for showing us around in your old, yet modern volunteer rescue depot!

Estonian Rescue Association is a member of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services, which brings together volunteer rescue organisations from all over the world. This year, Estonia was represented by Piia Kallas, the head of the Association, and Merike Tammearu from the Rescue Board. Last year, the association met in Greece to discuss the impact of climate change on the work of volunteer rescuers.

More photos on the Estonian Rescue Associations' Flickr page