On December 4, 2024, a seminar dedicated to climate change and flood risk management took place in Jelgava district. The event was attended by employees from the Zemgale Regional Department of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Zemgale local governments, and the Klaipēda County Department of the Fire and Rescue Department of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania. The seminar was held within the framework of the Latvian-Lithuanian cross-border cooperation program project "Improvement of cross-border cooperation between fire and rescue services in the field of flood response in the Zemgale and Klaipēda regions" (FloodAdapt, LL-00105).
"Extreme weather events are one of the risks that cause the greatest economic losses, which is why it is important to invest in prevention, preparedness measures, and international cooperation. Climate change and extreme weather events do not recognize or respect national borders. Therefore, such cross-border cooperation projects provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, get acquainted with the capabilities of neighboring countries' rescue services, available equipment, and develop mutual cooperation. Residents expect rescue services to be prepared for the unknown and even the most extreme events, so it is important to continuously improve and develop their skills and abilities," emphasized Ivars Nakurts, Deputy Chief of the State Fire and Rescue Service.
During the seminar, meteorologist Toms Bricis presented weather observations, their changes, and the possible development of the situation in the future. At the end of his presentation, the meteorologist predicted that in the future it is necessary to expect heavy rainfall, summer thunderstorms, and winter floods.
Representatives of Jēkabpils Municipality and Jelgava city, as well as the State Fire and Rescue Service, shared their real-life experience in overcoming natural disasters caused by climate change. Attendees were introduced to the course of events, challenges, and lessons learned from the January 2023 floods in Jēkabpils and the late July and early August 2024 floods in Jelgava. Representatives of the Lithuanian rescue service, in turn, informed about their experience in overcoming floods.
Given that the floods caused by heavy rainfall this summer placed a heavy burden on municipal water supply and sewerage systems, Sandis Dejus, Executive Director of the Latvian Association of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies, introduced seminar participants to urban wastewater and sewerage systems and their operating principles.
Climate change not only causes floods but also droughts leading to forest fires. Therefore, Agris Šūmanis, Deputy Director of the Forest Resource Management Department of the State Forest Service and Head of Forest Fire Protection, explained the impact of weather conditions on fire safety in forests and monitoring capabilities to identify and forecast potential fires. In turn, Edgars Ērglis, an operational duty officer of the Zemgale Regional Department of the State Fire and Rescue Service, shared his practical experience and lessons learned from wildfire firefighting training in Portugal.
The aim of the project "Improvement of cross-border cooperation between fire and rescue services in the field of flood response in the Zemgale and Klaipēda regions" is to increase preparedness and response capacity in case of floods in the Zemgale and Klaipēda regions, which is essential when facing climate change risks. The project's main focus is on cooperation between Latvian and Lithuanian rescue services. Through joint training, exchange visits, and seminars analyzing flood-affected areas, such as Jēkabpils and Rusne Island in Lithuania, the capacity of rescue services will be increased. In addition, special equipment and equipment for working with flood consequences are being purchased, training will be carried out on Rusne Island in Lithuania, personnel will be trained in the safe use of equipment, and communication measures will be implemented in Latvia and Lithuania.
The project is implemented within the framework of the Latvian-Lithuanian Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2021-2027. The total project budget is 417,359.37 EUR. The co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund is 333,887.49 EUR. The project must be implemented within two years - until January 2026.
The European Regional Development Fund Interreg Latvia-Lithuania program 2021-2027 aims to strengthen capacities, promote human cooperation and public awareness, and promote green, resilient and sustainable development.
