Recently, we wrote about how not every plume of smoke above the forest means a wildfire. It could just as well be controlled burning… or firefighting exercises. Wherever there is smoke, we are there.
The smoke we want to write to you about today is special. Firefighters from different continents come to this unique kind of smoke, like pyrophilous beetles, to practice extinguishing fires in an international group in a Polish forest.
Over 100 participants and instructors from 13 countries across 4 continents gathered at this year’s Forest Camp, organized for the 4th time by SNEP (pol. Stowarzyszenie Niezależnych Ekspertów Pożarnictwa, eng. Association of Independent Fire Experts).
The annual Forest Camp event provides the basis, space and potential for training, learning and exchanging experiences. This event provides a focal point for the development of the international wildfire community at a time when cooperation and mutual assistance in this field have never been more important. Therefore, SNEP organized a forest camp to which it invited not only firefighters directly involved in firefighting but also foresters, political advisors, scientists, students, and journalists. The camp community consists of organizers, instructors, participants and area hosts, i.e. local volunteer firefighters and foresters. All of them are firefighting specialists with different experience, background, education and approach to fire issues. This diversity within the unity of wildfire, enriched by several different flags waving at the camp, makes this event unique.
During two days, mixed groups walked and navigated through the mountain forest with a map in hand, tasked with locating stations with instructors based on geographic coordinates. After reaching each point, they engaged in the practical implementation of a scenario, which meant tackling specific training tasks often facing flames and thick smoke visible from afar. There were opportunities for fighting with flames, analyzing fire behaviour, strategic decision-making games, ensuring water supply, conducting controlled burning, and providing first aid during on fireline. These demanding challenges required collaborative efforts and collective action. Although fire and smoke united participants in a common mission, evening integration was an crucial aspect of the camp. The connections made between worldwide wildfire experts and the expansion of international networks in a friendly atmosphere were of great value and an important element of this event.
The integration of experience, education, and training in an international setting aligns closely with our company’s principles. Therefore, once again, we have decided to support this phenomenal forest event. Of course, you could also expand your collection of patches and badges, and we contributed to that as well.
Our company, specializing in fire detection, and firefighters are united not only by the issue of smoke but also by the common mission of protecting forests and ensuring safety. Quick detection of fires provides firefighters with additional, valuable minutes for effective intervention. We observe the forest and detect smoke in order to minimize the critical period of uncontrolled fire development and minimize the area that first responders will have to deal with. We give You the TIME!
Together with the Forest Camp participants, we prove that the integration of modern technology with the experience and practical skills of firefighters and foresters involved in preventive activities create a reliable team in the fight against fires.
We are proud to be part of this unique initiative. With our additional activities, we contribute to global forest protection in many ways. Today, we invite all interested parties to join the next edition, which will take place on May 23-26, 2025 in Poland. Interested? Contact us! Together we can do more!
