The project is seen as a pilot that serves to evaluate the regulatory framework and current TRFS functioning experience (incl. technical-material and human capacities), in order to deliver solutions and test them with the purpose to design standards to follow. The project will be implemented in accordance with the vision of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) based on the best EU practices and in partnership with selected rural communities and Association of Firefighters (AoF). The project will be implemented both at the central level by designing more favorable regulation framework and standards and pararerly at the local level to test solutions in practice. Once successful, the solutions might be multiplied in the next phases of the project. The current project design consists of four components:

Component 1: Designing more favorable regulation framework for TRFS development.

Development of the program document that describes the design of the model solution,  possible improvement of the regulation context (incl. recommendations for law amendments), draws a comprehensive vision of TRFS development as an element of the civil protection system and defines basic standards in terms of: (i) trainings for voluntary firefighters; (ii) equipment and infrastructure conditions and (iii) operating procedures; 

Component 2: Piloting standards in selected rural communities.

Improvement of the infrastructure and equipment of the selected TRFS, according to agreed standards. 

 Component 3: Improving TRFS trainings and operational capacities.

Testing model solution in terms of trainings and operating procedures, incl. involvement of GIES instructors and fire-fighters in providing practical trainings for TRFS. 

 Component 4: Strengthening community involvement and public confidence in TRFS.

Holding public events that promotes fire fighters, incl. national festival. And providing support for development of the AoF as a promotor of voluntary firefighters in the country. 

It is expected that the project will deliver the following results: 

program document that contains the vision of TRFS development as an element of the civil protection system in the country and that will determine the basic standards of TRFS functioning; standards are piloted in selected rural communities;  public trust as well as perception of TFRS is strengthened. 

 Pararerlly, as a supportive measure it is planned to continue the support for GIES in obtaining USAR and HCP certifications, as the complementary component focused on strengthening GIES competences.