DA Week 2025 in Sofia kickstarted with the CTIF Executive Committee physical meeting
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SOFIA, BULGARIA – June 10, 2025 — In the heart of Bulgaria's capital, the CTIF Executive Committee convened for an in-person session focused on firefighting and emergency services strategy.
The meeting started at 8:30 a.m. local time. CTIF President Milan Dubravac opened the meeting before the committee approved the minutes from the most recent virtual meeting.
Topics ranged from updates on global fire service developments to the upcoming CTIF Seminar and Delegates Assembly 2025. The group also reviewed updates on Memorandums of Understanding, while revisiting their commitment to the COP 28 climate goals and the “One Billion Readiness” initiative.
The committee also discussed recent developments from the World Fire Congress and the European Union Firefighters’ Association, analyzing follow-up strategies. Of particular concern was the situation in Greece, where fire service officials have faced legal challenges.
The treasurer Tom van Esbroeck initiated a discussion about future funding for commissions and working groups, paired with a potential membership fee increase to sustain future initiatives.
Strategic planning continued with a review of the Communications Coordinator role, considering its evolution beyond 2025.
The General Secretary Roman Sykora held a presentation on possible statute revisions, re-election rules, and other governance updates.
The future of firefighting events also featured heavily on the agenda, including plans for the 2026 Delegates Assembly in Germany, the Interschutz trade fair in Hannover, and CTIF’s World Firefighting Championship in Berlin.
Before closing, members reviewed promotional materials, welcome packages, and heard progress reports from commissions and working groups. The floor was then opened for final reflections under the open-ended “any other business.”
Photo: The CTIF Executive Committee photographed in Sofia, June 10, 2025.
Bottom row from left: Milan Dubravac, President (Slovenia). Zisoula Ntasiu, vice president (Greece)
Middle row from left: Yvonne Näsman, vice president (Sweden). Neza Strmole, Secretary (Slovenia). Otto Drozd, vice president (USA). To the left of Mr Drozd is Nikolet Zagralova, one of the local organizors of DA 2025.
Top row from left: Martin Nekula, vice president (Czech Republic). Nedeljko Vukalović (Croatia). Roman Sykora, General Secretary (Austria). Tom van Esbrock, Treasurer (Belgium) and Christophe Marchal, vice president (France)
Missing in the photo are Taina Hanhikoski, vice president, (Finland), Dennis Davis, Senior Project Adviser (UK) and Björn Ulfsson, Communications Coordinator (Canada / Sweden).