The overall objective of the project is to ensure the protection and safety of the population in the Svishtov-Zimnicea cross border region by ensuring a rapid and adequate response to the emergency situations caused by fires and natural disasters.

989.404,57 euro, out of which 840.993,87 euro ERDF.

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Svishtov Municipality (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Territorial Administrative Unit – Zimnicea Town (Romania)

Start date: 28.07.2018

End date: 27.10.2020

Duration: 27 months

Svishtov, Veliko Tarnovo District, Bulgaria

Zimnicea, Teleorman County, Romania

1. The joint partnership will be created through several project technical meetings in order to clarify and elaborate the technical documentation and the recommendation for the:

- Guide for developing a common cross border approach regarding managing emergencies based on the processes and activities initiated under the USES project;

- Design and dеvеlоpmеnt of the Joint Аctiоn Plan covering disaster resilience, mitigation and awareness raising campaigns for the cross-border population on the hazards and risk. The following results are expected: hazard management and current rescue service for flood prevention measures, risk management system and cross border rescue services/system; joint disaster risk prevention and management as one of the main cross border priorities; enhance the shared management of common risks at a cross border level; about 40 pages;

- Prevention and alarm guide in Romanian and Bulgarian language printed in edition of 3000 units (1500 Bg and 1500 Ro), A4 booklet, interior 15 glossy paper;

- Guideline for a joint cross border approach for handling emergency situations and Action plan will be contracted by the LB using external service. The Prevention and alarm guide will be developed by B2. All 3 items will be published on the partners websites and transmitted to all relevant organizations from the region in order for the target group to have free access to the information.

2. Purchase of equipment;

3. Information and promotion activities:

- 2 press conferences;

- Web site;

- Information and promotion materials:

Programme outputs:

- 65.000 people benefiting from actions of risk management;

- 1 joint partnership in the field of joint early warning and emergency response and exchange of experience;

Programme results: to increase the quality of joint risk management in the cross border area;

The Project Implementation period have ended on 27.10.2020.

According to the reported information so far, all project activities were implemented according to the approved application and the following progress has been registered:

- 2 press conferences have been organized – one in Zimnicea on 11th of December 2018 and another one in Svishtov on the 19th of February 2019;

- All of the equipment for the improvement of the Crisis Center Ovcha Mogila on behalf of LB have been delivered;

- All of the training equipment for the Training Center in Crisis Center in Ovcha Mogila on behalf of LB, has been delivered;

- All of the vehicles and specific machineries have been delivered on behalf of LB:

1 vehicle/van (16+1 persons) and 1 vehicle (4+1 persons) for transporting of voluntaries and distress people, 1 Wagon trailer with a total weight of up to 3500 kg with notification system / siren orange colour equipped (Portable computer, Thermal Imaging Camera, Video Drone, Tent - 4 seats, Inflatable tent, Chain saw for wood, Motor circular for metal, Motorized chainsaw for chippers with a single-handed, Auxiliary ropes - 30 meters and 60 meters, Towing steel ropes, Pneumatic lifting pillows, Extendable ladder, Stairs - four shafts, Folding ladder, Drainage pumps, Air breathing apparatus + 2 bottles, Generator 12.5 kw, Compressor for compressed air, Mobile rechargeable lighting fixtures, Lighting mast - Bulk type, Dedicated firefighter tools for ripping and cutting, Radio stations, Binoculars, Megaphones, Fire extinguishers - P5, P6, Fire extinguishers - G5, G6, Water fire extinguisher 9 litters, First aid medical kit, Gas masks), 1 tractor, 1 snow rake, 1 Mulcher for tractor (with a telescopic shoulder for mowing grass, shrubs, branches, as well as for cleaning road banquets), 1 Water Carrier vehicle and 1 Auto aerial platform vehicle;

- All of the vehicles and specific machineries have been delivered on behalf of B2:

1 auto aerial platform vehicle, 1 bobcat/mini frontal loader, 1 vehicle/van (16+1 persons) for transporting of voluntaries and distress people, 1 tractor, 1 Excavator-backhoe, 1 vehicle (4+1 persons), 1 Tractor tow, 1 Snow blade and 1 Salt spreader;

- Most of the foreseen equipment on behalf of B2-T.A.U. Zimnicea City have been delivered, namely, Metal dressing rooms, Protective suits for firefighters, Protective boots for firefighters, Helmets with visor, Belts for firefighters, Flashlights for firefighters, Protective gloves for firefighters, Reflective vests, Video and acoustic detector and Life jackets;