Czech Wildfires Academy (CWA) is a hands-on training programme focused on wildland and wildland-urban interface firefighting in the Czech Republic. It was created in response to the rising frequency and intensity of vegetation fires driven by drought and climate change, and to lessons learned from major incidents such as the 2022 Hřensko wildfire. CWA fills a clear gap on the market: a repeatable, scenario-based course where crews can safely practise modern wildland tactics with specialised equipment under expert supervision—something that is hard to achieve during routine station training. The academy is built around realistic field tasks and thematic stations, designed so teams can “make mistakes to learn from them, not pay for them”.The goal is simple: improve operational readiness and firefighter safety in difficult terrain—faster decisions, better crew coordination, and confident use of tools, vehicles and support technologies. Training typically combines short theory blocks with intensive outdoor work: crew and sector organisation, hose-lay and water supply in remote areas, pump/module deployment, hand-tool fireline construction, off-road vehicle manoeuvring, drone reconnaissance/support, and logistics/base set-up for sustained operations. A key added value is cross-unit networking and interoperability: professional and volunteer firefighters train side by side, share lessons learned, and align procedures and terminology. CWA also exposes participants to technical means from leading European manufacturers, so they understand not only “what to do”, but also “what to do it with” in the field. By involving Czech and international instructors, CWA helps build a shared “wildfire language” across the country—so the response becomes structured, trainable and continuously improved.
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The ambition of the Czech Wildfires Academy (CWA) is to strengthen the professional capacity, knowledge, and preparedness of firefighters dealing with wildland fires. As climate change and prolonged droughts increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires across Europe, it is essential that firefighting professionals continuously develop their skills, operational knowledge, and understanding of modern suppression strategies. CWA aims to provide a long-term platform for education, training, and knowledge exchange focused specifically on wildland fire management. The objective is to ensure that firefighters reach and maintain the highest contemporary standards in wildfire suppression, both in terms of operational tactics and the effective use of modern equipment and technologies. A key element of this ambition is the strong international dimension of the academy. CWA actively connects firefighters with globally recognized wildfire experts, international institutions, leading manufacturers of wildfire suppression equipment, and innovators developing new technologies for fire management and emergency response. Through these partnerships, the academy facilitates the transfer of global best practices and operational know-how directly to firefighters in the field. By combining expert knowledge, modern equipment, and realistic training scenarios, the Czech Wildfires Academy seeks to create a highly skilled community of professionals capable of responding effectively to the growing challenges posed by wildland fires. Ultimately, the ambition of CWA is to enhance firefighter safety, operational effectiveness, and resilience in wildfire response through continuous education and international cooperation.
The innovation of the Czech Wildfires Academy (CWA) lies primarily in the combination of modern education, practical field training, and international knowledge transfer in the field of wildland fire suppression. The project creates a unique platform connecting professional and volunteer firefighters with leading international wildfire experts, institutions, manufacturers of specialized firefighting equipment, and developers of innovative technological solutions. Unlike traditional training models, the academy focuses on realistic training based on real operational experience, modern tactics, and the latest knowledge from regions that regularly face large wildfires. This approach enables the transfer of proven practices used in countries with highly developed wildfire management systems directly into the European context. Another innovative aspect is the systematic integration of modern technologies and specialized equipment used in wildland firefighting. Participants are introduced not only to new operational approaches but also to advanced tools and technologies that can significantly increase operational effectiveness and the safety of responding units. An important objective of the training is also to support the harmonisation of wildfire suppression procedures in Central Europe. By creating a shared training environment, the academy helps firefighters from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Austria develop compatible tactics, communication practices, and operational understanding, enabling more effective cooperation during cross-border wildfire incidents. The project also promotes international cooperation and the exchange of experience between firefighters from different countries. The innovation of CWA therefore lies not only in its educational programme, but also in creating an open platform for long-term professional development, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of modern approaches in wildland fire management.
Problem Across Central Europe, the operational capacity to effectively respond to wildland fires is still developing. Fire brigades in many countries have traditionally focused on structural fires and technical rescue, while large-scale wildland fires have historically been less frequent. As climate change increases the frequency, intensity, and complexity of wildfires, many firefighters lack access to specialized training, modern tactics, and practical experience specifically focused on wildland fire suppression. In addition, operational procedures and tactical approaches differ between countries, which can complicate cooperation during cross-border incidents. Solution The Czech Wildfires Academy addresses this gap by providing a specialized training platform focused on modern wildland firefighting. The academy combines international expertise, operational experience, and realistic field training scenarios. Firefighters gain practical skills in modern wildfire suppression tactics, safe operations in complex terrain, and the effective use of specialized equipment and technologies. The programme also brings together firefighters from different Central European countries, creating a shared learning environment where operational procedures, communication, and tactical approaches can be aligned. Result By strengthening professional knowledge, operational skills, and interoperability, CWA significantly improves the operational capacity of firefighters to respond to wildland fires. The project supports better coordination between units from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Austria, enabling more effective cross-border cooperation during wildfire incidents. Ultimately, this leads to safer operations, faster and more efficient response, and increased resilience of fire services to the growing wildfire risk in Central Europe.
The Czech Wildfires Academy focuses on the education and practical training of firefighters in wildland fire suppression. Led and organized by ProIZS CZ, the team includes experienced Czech and international instructors, firefighters, and technical partners. The academy combines operational experience, modern tactics, and advanced equipment knowledge to deliver realistic training that improves safety and operational effectiveness during wildfire incidents.
The Czech Wildfires Academy focuses on the education and practical training of firefighters in wildland fire suppression. Led and organized by ProIZS CZ, the team includes experienced Czech and international instructors, firefighters, and technical partners. The academy combines operational experience, modern tactics, and advanced equipment knowledge to deliver realistic training that improves safety and operational effectiveness during wildfire incidents.