The SEMEDFIRE project successfully completed its second field exercise, FIELD-2, in France. From May 13-15th, the SEMEDFIRE French partners hosted EUC and firefighting pilots from Greece and Cyprus in Nîmes. This crucial event, a core component of Work Package 6, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in wildfire management.
The Widening Institution and coordinator of the project, European University Cyprus – CERIDES, was represented by its Director, Prof. George Boustras, and its Research & Strategy Manager, Mr. Pierantonios Papazoglou. Following up on the previous Hands-on Training event organized by the French Advanced Partners in Nicosia, Cyprus last February, the SEMEDFIRE activities were attended once again by firefighting pilots from Cyprus and Greece. The Hellenic Air Force was represented by three Canadair CL-215 and CL-415 pilots and the Airforce Command of the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus was represented by two helicopter pilots. A French judicial expert in fire investigation and an elected official responsible for major risks management, also participated in the activities.
The 3-day training and field visit activities were organized by the two French Advanced partners of SEMEDFIRE: The General Directorate for Civil Protection and Crisis Management of the French Ministry of Interior (DGSCGC) and Nîmes Métropole. The two partners collaborated with national, departmental, and local authorities and organizations in civil protection and fire management, in an effort to offer a high-quality, high-impact visit and training for the participants.
The 3-day Hands-on Training included:
- An extended visit to the Aerial Base of the French Civil Protection at the airport of Nîmes (video)
- A series of presentations by Nîmes Métropole, the European and International Relationships Unit of DGSCGC and the Aerial Assets Group of the DGSCGC.
- Flight simulator and mission coordination training at the SECOAS training room of ENTENTE-VALABRE at the Aerial Base
- Mission coordination training in the newly created Training Centre in the huB.46 premises by the Civil Protection Application School ECASC of ENTENTE-VALABRE in the presence of the firefighters of the Department of Gard.
- A meeting with the Mayor and elected officials of Générac at the 13th-century Château de Générac, where Mr. Frédéric Touzelier shared a detailed testimony about the 2019 fires in the area.
- A field visit to the areas affected by the 2019 and 2022 fires, organized and guided by Générac’s elected official, responsible for major risks management, Mr. Kulczak
- A touching ceremony to honor the memory of Franck Chesneau, the pilot who lost his life in the tragic firefighting plane crash during the fires in Générac in 2019.
- A visit to the area that was heavily affected by the 2019 and 2022 wildfires in Domaine Saint-Colombe, recently acquired by the French cosmetics Group Clarins.
Day 1: Immersion into French Aerial Firefighting Capabilities
The morning of May 13th was marked by significant activities at the Civil Protection huB.46, created by Nîmes Métropole at the B46 building in the perimeter of the city’s international airport. A crucial stakeholders meeting of the organizing committee of the Civil Protection Aerial Base Open Doors event to be held next October, took place at the huB.46. A short ceremony for the signing of an agreement between Nîmes Métropole and ENTENTE-VALABRE followed, at the presence of the presidents of the two organizations. This agreement officially established the ground floor of huB.46 as a new training center for mission coordination for firefighters, first responders, pilots and officers.
In the afternoon, participants were treated to an insightful visit to the DGSCGC Aerial Base, where Mr. Olivier Bertrand, Head of the Aircraft Unit, provided a detailed presentation on France’s aerial firefighting asset management. The delegation explored aircraft parking areas and hangars, getting an up-close view of the Canadair CL-415, DASH-8 Q400 and Beechcraft B200 aircrafts, as well as the retired Tracker S-2FT aircrafts, engaging in valuable discussions with French pilots and personnel.
Day 2: Advanced Training and Collaborative Discussions
The second day of FIELD-2 activities unfolded at the huB.46 premises, bringing together project teams from DGSCGC, Nîmes Métropole, and EUC-CERIDES, alongside Greek and Cypriot pilots, a fire investigation expert, and one local elected official from the community of Générac. The morning session featured comprehensive presentations by DGSCGC and Nîmes Métropole, covering SEMEDFIRE project updates, risk management in the Métropole of Nîmes, and an in-depth overview of French civil protection management and procedures. These sessions fostered an open dialogue, allowing participants to gain insights into the French approach, particularly concerning volunteer organizations and aerial asset management.
Following a collaborative lunch, where Greek Canadair pilots shared their experiences, the afternoon transitioned to practical training. Participants visited the SECOAS simulator training center at the DGSCGC Aerial Base, attending an operational briefing and engaging in flight simulator exercises based on common wildfire scenarios. The day concluded with a pioneering training session at the newly inaugurated Mission Coordination Training Centre within huB.46, led by Lt. Colonel Vaucouleur of ENTENTE-VALABRE, offering a realistic fire scenario to the firefighters of the Department of Gard, observed by all delegates.
Day 3: Field Insights and Innovative Prevention
The final day of FIELD-2 was dedicated to immersive field visits in Générac, a community that served as a compelling case study due to its similarities with Cypriot communities in terms of wildfire risks and its experiences with significant fires in 2019 and 2022. The day began at the historic Château de Générac, where the mayor welcomed the delegations and shared insights into community-wide resource management during fires. A comprehensive three-hour tour followed, guided by Mr. Kulczak, the elected official of Générac responsible for the management of major risks, and the judicial expert in fire investigation who participated in the FIELD-2 activities.
The visit guided participants through the areas affected by the 2019 fires, including the ignition site and the “Renaissance” project – a collaborative effort focused on ecological restoration and rethinking the landscape. A poignant moment occurred at the crash site of the Tracker S-2FT firefighting aircraft during the 2019 fires in Générac, where a wreath was laid in memory of pilot Franck Chesneau by the Cypriot and Greek pilots. The day concluded with a visit to the Domaine de Sainte Colombe, a former tourist accommodation that was severely damaged by the fires in 2019 and 2022, now a Clarins production site for aromatic flowers and plants. The previous owner of the site and the new Clarins site manager shared details from their past and current experience. Clarins’ representatives showcased their innovative approach where planting practices are strategically designed as firebreaks, demonstrating a science-based method to integrate fire prevention into agricultural activities.
The FIELD-2 activities mark the completion of the planned knowledge and experience exchange actions of the SEMEDFIRE project. The project is now entering its last six months, as the official closing is scheduled for November 30th 2025. The project partners will now engage in the preparation of the project’s final deliverables, including an Integrated Fire Management Strategy for Cyprus and the Region, a Forest Fires Community Engagement Plan for Cyprus & the Region and a Fire-Governance and Agencies-Interoperability White Paper.
Media groups from the Occitanie region and the Department of Gard in France have published relevant articles regarding the presence of Greek and Cypriot delegations in the region. Articles from Midi Libre media group and the official announcement of the Community of Générac can be found here: 1. Midi Libre – 2. Mairie de Générac
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