A new European Union Firefighters’ Association has been founded in strong partnership with CTIF

Robert Mayer: “A strong sign of unity and shared direction within the European Union.”

Berlin – “Today, we made history! This marks a milestone for the European firefighting community and is a clear commitment to solidarity, professionalism, and shared responsibility in protecting our citizens,” said Karl-Heinz Banse, President of the German Firefighters’ Association (DFV), at the founding of the European Union Firefighters’ Association in Berlin on May, 21, 2025.

This article is slightly adapted for CTIF from an original text by Andres Rieger, Austria, and also from DFVs Presseportal. 

Cover photo (Above) by Jens Jeske/DFV.

Representatives from 21 EU countries signed the founding document, successfully bringing together firefighters and their associations from various nations into a unified body. 

CTIF President Milan Dubravac, Slovenia, says this new organisation is not in competition with CTIF´s goals, but rather complimenting the role CTIF already has within Europe. In fact, CTIF is mentioned in the statutes of the new Fire Brigades Union:

"This new organisation will primarily be the contact point for firefighters with the European Union, and CTIF will be the voice. I also see this as being a potentially strong boost for the activities of our Commissions and Working Groups", Milan Dubravac says to CTIF News.

"This  is a huge step forward for European firefighters", says CTIF General Secretary Roman Sykora (Austria). 

Croatian CTIF member takes vice president role

Karl-Heinz Banse (Germany) was elected President of the new international association. The Vice Presidents are Jean-Paul Bosland (France), Ante Sanader (Croatia), Robert Mayer (Austria), and Waldemar Pawlak (Poland).

A Key Component of EU Safety Policy

The founding document states: "Fire and disaster protection across EU member states are vital elements of European security policy. Firefighters serve as an indispensable pillar of safety and resilience. Their unwavering commitment to saving lives, protecting property and cultural heritage, preserving the environment, and fostering a more secure society underscores the need for international cooperation. Today, the member organizations of EU fire departments establish the ‘European Union Firefighters’ Association’ to ensure unified representation and active dialogue with EU institutions."

A European Response to Modern Challenges

Lena Düpont, Member of the European Parliament, praised the initiative, calling it a significant moment in EU politics. “The world is changing, and with it comes a great responsibility for firefighters. They are providing a European response to today’s challenges—this embodies the core of European unity.”

Karl-Heinz Banse (Germany) added, “This association will represent firefighters across the EU in Brussels and Strasbourg, ensuring their interests are effectively advocated, emerging challenges are addressed early, and decisions are influenced proactively. International cooperation among fire departments is not just an option—it’s a necessity. In an increasingly connected world, disasters and emergencies know no borders.”

Jean-Paul Bosland: 

"Today marks a milestone in the history of European firefighting. The establishment of the European Union Firefighters’ Association is a true step forward for our collaboration—we are strengthening our connections and speaking with one voice on behalf of all firefighters in the Union. This is a real paradigm shift: 21 countries, nearly as many languages and uniforms, united under one banner. I am thrilled to see this initiative come to life after 14 months of joint work with our German colleagues. This is just the beginning of a long journey."

Ante Sanader: 

"Firefighting is a fundamental part of European security policy. The newly founded European Union Firefighters’ Association is a necessary and highly important step in recognizing the role of firefighting in shaping the EU’s security framework."

Robert Mayer: 

"The creation of the European Firefighters’ Association is a significant milestone in strengthening connections and will give firefighters a strong voice at the European level. Firefighters are not lone warriors—they are team players. Good international cooperation was the foundation of this new association, which has now been officially established after months of work. The presence of 21 nations at the founding assembly is a powerful sign of unity and shared direction within the European Union. I am incredibly proud to be part of this as a representative of Austrian firefighters."

Waldemar Pawlak: 

"In times of war, disrupted global cooperation, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, European firefighting collaboration is more crucial than ever. Common standards, experience-sharing, youth engagement, and technical harmonization form the stable foundation of a resilient society. It is my personal mission to promote cross-border exchange, build strong networks, and effectively represent firefighters’ interests at the European level. Only together can we develop the best solutions and put them into practice—for the benefit of our citizens."

Founding Members of the Association

Representatives from the following 21 countries formally joined the European Union Firefighters’ Association at its founding:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

The 3rd European Firefighting Summit, serving as the founding event of the association, was held at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences with the support of Magirus GmbH and MSA Safety.

Here are the organisations which joined: 

Austrian Federal Firefighters’ Association (Austria) 

Fire & Rescue Belgium – BB-SPB (Belgium) 

National Association of Volunteers of the Republic of Bulgaria (Bulgaria) 

Croatian Firefighting Association (Croatia) Cyprus Firefighters Association (Cyprus) 

Association of Firefighters of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia (Czech Republic) 

Estonian Rescue Board (Estonia) 

The Finnish National Rescue Association, SPEK (Finland) 

National Federation of Firefighters of France (France) 

German Firefighters’ Association (Germany) 

Panhellenic Federation of Firefighters Unions (Greece) Hungarian Fire Association (Hungary) National Federation of Firefighters, Luxembourg (Luxembourg) 

Union of Volunteer Firefighters (Netherlands) Association of Volunteer Fire Brigades of the Republic of Poland (Poland) 

Portuguese Firefighters League (Portugal) Federation of Volunteer Firefighters and Civil Protection, FPVPC (Romania) 

Voluntary Fire Protection of the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) 

Firefighting Association of Slovenia (Slovenia) 

CONBE Firefighter Consortia Spain (Spain) 

National Association of Firefighters (Sweden)

Here is the same list with the actual names (not translated)

• Österreichischer Bundesfeuerwehrverband (Austria)
• Fire & Rescue Belgium – BB-SPB (Belgium)
• National Association of Volunteers of the Republic of Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
• Hrvatska vatrogasna zajednica – Croatian Firefighting Association (Croatia)
• Cyprus Firefighters Association (Cyprus)
• sdružení hasičů čech, moravy a slezska (Czech Republic)
• Estonian Rescue Board (Estland)
• The Finnish National Rescue Association, SPEK (Finland)
• Féderation Nationale des Sapeurs-Pompiers de France (France)
• Deutscher Feuerwehrverband (Deutschland)
• Panhellenic Federation of Firefighters Unions (Greece)
• Hungarian Fire Association (Hungary)
• Fédération Nationale des Pompiers, Luxembourg (Luxemburg)
• Vakvereniging Brandweer Vrijwilligers (Netherlands)
• Związek Ochotniczych Straży Pożarnych Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Poland)
• Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses (Portugal)
• Federatia de Pompieri Voluntari si Protectia Civila, FPVPC (Rumania)
• Dobrovoľná požiarna ochrana Slovenskej republiky (Slovakia)
• Firefighting Association of Slovenia (Slovenia)
• CONBE Consorcios Bomberos España (Spain)
• Brandmännens Riksförbund (Sweden)  

This article is slightly adapted for CTIF from an original text by Andres Rieger, Austria,  and also from DFVs Presseportal.