FAFSIT4SCHOOLS is innovative Strategic Partnership project whose aim is to develop new fire safety and first aid education tool for pupils and teachers. The project will address deficiency of that kind of education programs at schools. There is no safety and first aid topics uniting education program across EU Member States. Pupils and teachers lack of preparation to react in stressful situations is a huge danger for all society as a whole. In order to cope with these issues it is necessary to ensure as early as possible training using the most innovative, attractive and involving tools.Main objective of the project - to develop innovative interactive fire safety and first aid education system for schools.Main tasks of the project:- Increase fire safety and first aid awareness in schools;- Support innovative teaching and learning;- Ensure inclusive, open and online education;- Reinforce cooperation with partners from other countries;- Improve competences linked to professional profiles (teaching, training);- Better understand interconnections between formal and non-formal education;- Increase motivation and satisfaction in teaching and learning.The project consortium consists of a wide range of partners from different cultures and experiences, from a range of service backgrounds and scale that will represent the various stakeholders involved and that will bring expertise in different fields directly connected with the objectives of the project. The partners are located in a number of different countries with a good geographical spread all over Europe, a well balanced group of fire and rescue services, local, regional and national government organisations, third level research institutions, learning developers and national and EU teacher organisations. A number of Associated Partners (21 school from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ireland and Denmark) primarily made up of second level schools and other interested stakeholders in each partner country will participate in the FAFSIT4SCHOOLS project. Collectively this partnership will research, design, develop and deliver a sustainable innovative fire safety and first aid training system for second level school teachers and students.Project partners:- National Firefighters Managers Union (Project coordinator);- Leitrim County Council;- Estonian Rescue Board;- Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service;- FREDERIKSBORG BRAND OG REDNING;- Learnkey.Project target group - pupils, teachers and other pedagogical staff. It is planned to involve approximately 3800 students and 63 teachers who will directly benefit from this educational programme with the potential to reach out to many more using the online learning tools and the eTwinning platform. We also plan to disseminate the outputs of the project through a series of Multiplier events and to a range of sectoral publications. Also it is planned to involve 130 representatives from various organizations which will be acquainted with project results during dissemination events. All activities planned in order to ensure successful implementation of the project and achievement of the intended results. Efforts will be made to sustain this fire safety programme into the future by attempting to incorporate it into the school curriculum throughout countries in Europe. Contact will be made with key educational stakeholders at local, national and European level in order to achieve this.It is planned to arrange 5 transnational meetings, 6 dissemination events and create 2 intellectual outputs.Planned project results:- Fire safety and first aid training course (methodology);- Online e-learning tool.Methodology will combine 5 different modules:- Fire safety course for pupils;- Fire safety course for teachers;- Evacuation practise training course for teachers;- First aid training course for pupils and teachers;- First aid instruction for pupils.Project will help to strengthen transnational network for knowledge and experience sharing, to develop sustainable cooperation structures between fire safety and first aid organizations, educators and public sector. The expected impact is a change of target groups behaviour in extreme situations related with fire and health threat. It is expected that after the project participants will become more informed and responsible dealing with fire and helping persons suffering a serious illness or injury. It will improve the health and well being of students and reduce the possibility of them being injured by fire and also prepare to get ready to help anyone in danger. In the long term this will have a beneficial effect on schools and society in general as it will help to reduce the incidence of fires, number of sudden deaths and to reduce the impact and damage caused by fires that may actually occur. This will be visible in future fire statistics in terms of reduced fire incidents, reduced injuries, deaths and fatalities around Europe.

Climate change is occurring in Europe, with the European land temperature over the past decade on average 1,3°C higher than in the pre-industrial era, making it the warmest decade on record (Source: Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012 - EEA Report No 12/2012). The consequences of climate change can already be noted through the increase in the frequency of natural disasters. In Europe, according to the Emergency Database of Disasters (EMDAT), the number of natural disasters reported increased from 43 in 1974-1978 to 288 in 1999-2003. All the agencies working on monitoring climate change agree that, in the future, such consequences will intensify with the weather and temperatures being more extreme. Impacts will include natural disasters such as river floods, droughts, forest fires, warm periods, including heat waves, are expected to be more intense, more frequent and longer-lasting. (Source: EEA 2007: Europe’s Environment, the fourth assessment).The impact of natural disasters on the European population ranges from material damage, economic losses, casualties (death and injuries) and psychological distress. However, such impacts can be mitigated through the education of individuals, communities, and disaster responders on three levels: prevention, preparedness and response to natural disasters. Unfortunately, the European population lack the necessary education to face the changes brought upon them by climate change.In order to address the identified educational needs of the European population to face the changes brought upon them by climate change, fire and rescue services, primary and secondary education schools, adult education providers, and public administrations from six European countries worked together in this cross-sectoral and cross-border partnership.The project “e-learning for the prevention, preparedness and response to natural disasters” aimed to develop, validate and deploy a set of innovative educational materials to educate the European population on the prevention, preparedness and response to natural disasters related to climate change. These educational materials were made into e-learning modules and available for free on an e-learning platform as OER (Open Educational Resources). There are four e-learning modules: one for primary school children, one for secondary school students, one for adults, and one for disaster responders (fire and rescue services, emergency personnel and other first responders). Each e-learning module is tailored to the specific needs of its target group throughout a process of adaptation and validation. The execution of the project lasted 24 months and was structured in the following phases: PHASE 1: Development of the educational content for the e-learning modulesThe professionals in prevention, preparedness and response to natural disasters represented by the four fire and rescue services from Denmark, Lithuania, Spain and United Kingdom, developed the educational content for the four e-learning modules.PHASE 2: Adaptation of the educational content to the target groupsTeachers and trainers from primary and secondary schools, adult education centres, and VET providers adapted the educational content of the e-learning modules to the specific needs of each target group. PHASE 3: Translation of the e-learning modulesThe project partners from non-English speaking countries translated the e-learning modules into their national language while the British partner improved the quality of the English version.PHASE 4: First deployment of the e-learning modules The partners deployed on the e-learning platform the four e-learning modules in six European languages.PHASE 5: Validation of the e-learning modules Each e-learning module was validated with its target group (primary school children, secondary school students, adults, and professionals from fire and rescue services) throughout six pilot tests. PHASE 6: Final deployment of the e-learning modulesBased on the feedback from the validation of the e-learning modules carried out during the pilot tests, the partners defined and implemented the necessary improvements before the final publication of the e-learning modules in six European languages (Danish, English, Estonian, Lithuanian, Romanian and Spanish) on the e-learning platform as OER (Open Educational Resources). As the e-learning modules are easily transferable to other countries and to other organisations, every user, teacher, trainer or education provider using the e-learning modules will be a positive step towards the education of the European population on the prevention, preparedness and response to natural disasters.

In particular the main aim of the FireSkills is to create a new profile and develop a Training Modules (EQF level 8) for experts/staff working specific sectors such as Fire Safety, Fire Accident, Security, Health, Emergency, Crisis Management and Firefighting in cultural and historical protected cities. The second main of the FireSkills project is to expand awareness and improved know-how, skills and knowledge of the fire safety management for inhabitants living in cultural and historical protected cities in terms of preparing user guide and organizing training activities. So FireSkills project that was been implemented between the dates 2017 and 2019 aims to: • To improve the effectiveness of the institutions offering education on the search and rescue experts, staff and personnel and to increase the strategic partnership between among fire brigades, search & rescue unit at public authorities, universities, NGOs, Municipalities and other stakeholders within the scope of the Fire Safety Management • Increase partner countries’ understanding of issues related to Fire Safety Management • Improve the capacity of relevant institutions, agencies and experts to address the risks of fire accidents in cultural and historical protected cities across EU and Turkey • Help partner countries to develop and implement an appropriate Fire Safety Management for both Experts/Staff working at Fire Brigades within the scope of the EQF and user guide for inhabitants living in cultural and historical protected cities. In parallel with these objectives, the following main activities have carried out and completed within the scope of our strategic partnership;1. Preliminary Studies:1.1. Project logos: As it is known, emblems and logos are the signature of corporate identities. Because it is possible to fit very long sentences to a single symbol. In this process, logos reflecting the characteristics of the project were produced with the project partners.1.2. The project executive team: A Project Executive Team was organized in the kick off meeting and this team was composed of two key persons from the coordinator organization and one key person from each partner organization.1.3. The project web site: Web Site It is a well-designed promotional tool especially in terms of establishing the corporate identity of the project. The website is therefore of great importance. The website is the face of our project on the Internet. Users who visit the project website get the first impression of the project through the website. For this purpose, a website reflecting the characteristics of the project has been produced.2. Detailed Sub-studies:2.1- Inventory analysis /Current Status Reports and other reports: In this context, more than 20 reports were produced with the project partners. These reports have been prepared to help how the project will be developed (See annexes).2.2-Preparation of the “Training Modules (EQF level 8) for Experts/staff working at Fire & Rescue Services and Fire Brigade”: The main objective of the project was to produce a training module that could serve the parties concerned. This training module has been prepared quite extensively. The training module was made available both as written material and online. As a material, it was also distributed to non-governmental organizations, universities, public institutions. This also created a good opportunity for dissemination activities. (See annexes)2.3-Preparation of the “User guide for residents/inhabitants in historical areas/cities/region”: The user guide was one of the main objectives of the project. Around 5000 user guides have been printed and distributed. These guidelines reflect the characteristics of the project. In addition, these user guide, it was also an opportunity for dissemination activities (See annexes).2.4-Web site: The website is actively available and this system can also used for 3 years after completed the project (See annexes).2.5-National and International Meetings: These activities have been regularly completed. All meetings were formalized with attendance documents, photographs, meeting minutes and signature minutes (See annexes).2.6-Dissemination and Exploitation Activities: At these activities, a lot of activities were organized and a lot of participants were reached (See annexes).2.7- Workshops and international symposium: These activities were at the center of the dissemination phase. Detailed information about these activities is given in the following pages (See annexes).2.8-Online test system for end users: Digital products have become an important part of today's societies. Without the online test system, the project was thought to be incomplete. The system produced for this purpose continues to be used actively. (This system can be used for 3 years)

"Firefighters are ranked as one of the most trustworthy professions across all global regions (source: Trust in professions, GFK Verein, 2015). Therefore, firefighters have the potential to do something more for their communities than firefighting. Being aware of this, some firefighters have already used their trustworthy position to promote social inclusion with very successful results. As an example you can watch ""The story of Zouhair"" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoTPcFWehiAThis proves that something is changing in the Fire and Rescue Services. Firefighters are more aware of their potential to do something more for their communities. However, a lot more could be done if firefighters could access high quality training on how to use their position as role models to promote social inclusion. In this context, the Firefighters Plus project aims at helping firefighters use their position as role models to promote social inclusion. To do so, five Fire and Rescue Services and two NGOs with wide experience in the field of social inclusion have developed the first online platform for firefighters on how to use their position as role models to promote social inclusion. The online platform is accessible from computers, tablets and smartphones in six languages (English, Danish, Spanish, Polish, Dutch and Romanian) at www.firefightersplus.eu and it has the following sections: GET INSPIRED with videos from actions to promote social inclusion implemented by firefighters from several EU countries during the project.ONLINE TRAINING on how firefighters can make the most of their position as role models to promote social inclusion.TOOLS to plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate the results of actions to promote social inclusion. GOOD PRACTICES where firefighters can submit their good practices to be shared with and inspire other firefighters.Once the first development of the online platform was completed, it was tested by firefighters from 5 countries. The firefighters first completed the online training course and afterwards, they put in practice what they had learnt by planning and implementing actions to promote social inclusion in each country. Based on the testers’ feedback, the project partners implemented additional improvements before the final publication of the Firefighters Plus online platform in September 2019. Beyond the partners, the Firefighters Plus online platform has the potential to be exploited by a wide range of organisations and individuals across the EU. Thanks to its publication as an OER (Open Educational Resource) under the Creative Commons license “Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)"", anyone is allowed to use all the content for free as well as to build upon. Therefore, the Firefighters Plus online platform will serve as the impetus for future innovations and developments in the education and training sector across the EU. Within the next two months after the publication of the Firefighters Plus online platform, the impact is already well over initial expectations: - The Firefighters Plus online platform won the European Fire Safety Award 2019. - The Firefighters Plus online platform was presented as a good practice in the European Forum on Integration of Migrants and Refugees in Hamburg (Germany).- The Firefighters Plus online platform was presented as a good practice in the International Safety Education Seminar in Antwerp (Belgium).- In Poland, the National Chief Fire Officer has recommended all firefighters across the country use the Firefighters Plus online platform.- In the Netherlands, Firefighters Plus online platform was presented at the Dutch Fire Congress.The Firefighters Plus project is an initiative of Frederiksborg Fire & Rescue Service (Denmark) in collaboration with Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service (UK), Provincial Headquarters of State Fire Service in Poznan (Poland), The Institute for Safety (The Netherlands), Alcala de Guadaira Fire & Rescue Service (Spain), Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Center (Romania) and WIOSNA Association (Poland). The Firefighters Plus project has been co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union."

"In order to reduce the time of response in case of fires or other incidents and therefore decrease the number of people dying or being injured, many European countries depend on volunteer fire brigades. They are of particular importance in rural areas, but especially there the number of people willing to join volunteer fire brigades is unfortunately decreasing. Some countries like Germany have a longstanding tradition in volunteer fire brigades. In other countries like Bulgaria, volunteer fire brigades gained more importance in recent years. In addition, the organization of volunteer fire brigades is very different in each country. Therefore, the aim of the ""FireVall"" project was to exchange good practices among volunteer fire brigades across Europe focused on recruitment strategies in the different countries as well as on the organization and financing of volunteer fire brigades.The partners learned a lot from each other and their experiences enhancing the effectiveness and quality of the work carried out. The partnership was composed of 7 partners from 6 countries, who have extensive knowledge on the training of volunteer fire fighters and the organisation and funding of volunteer fire brigades in their country. The applicant Gemeinde Kabelsketal has 6 local volunteer fire brigades in their territory and has been be supported by the second German partner Wisamar. The Danish and Croatian partners represent fire brigades with volunteer fire fighters and the Estonian partner is a volunteer fire brigade itself. The Hungarian and the Bulgarian partners are organisations supporting the regional development and cooperating very closely with the municipalities and their volunteer fire brigades.During the lifetime of the project, the partnership met 5 times. Each transnational meeting had a different central theme based on one of the following relevant questions:- What is the public perception and the importance of volunteer fire brigades in the partner countries?- What are the legal regulations regarding volunteer fire brigades in the partner countries?- How do volunteer fire brigades acquire new/ enough members, motivate and maintain them?- How are volunteer fire brigades organized and financed?- What is the educational framework/ training/ qualification behind volunteer fire brigades?As a result, good practices answering the aforementioned questions have be collected and shared with the local teams of volunteer firefighters in order to evaluate them regarding their usability and adaptability within the local contexts. Considering this feedback, the good practices were summarized and translated into the partner languages (DE, BG, DK, HU, CRO and EE). To make these results accessible for a wider public, they are published on the project website, where they remain free to use also after the end of the project. During the meetings, the partners also had the chance to get more insight into the system of volunteer fire brigades within the country where the respective meeting took place. In this way, they were able to exchange, discuss and compare the local circumstances with their colleagues on site as well as with local stakeholders and policy makers.At local, regional, national and European level, the project addressed volunteer fire brigades and their members, since they can profit directly from the project results. They are able to adapt the collected good practices in order to sustain and improve the activities and services in their countries. Hence, the volunteer fire brigades can increase the number of volunteer firefighters and improve the organisation of regular activities, training, information, monitoring, operational response and fire precaution measures. The secondary target group of the project was the general public, who has been made more aware of the importance of volunteer fire brigades and their need to be supported by the local communities mainly through the diverse dissemination activities. An important target group for dissemination were also policy and decision makers who are involved in the regulations and financing of volunteer fire brigades. They can adapt the collected good practices can be adapted in order to find starting points for a (more) effective support and funding of volunteer fire brigades in their region. The lessons learned and the contacts made during the project already triggered new ideas for cooperation between volunteer fire brigades."