To ensure that floods, severe storms, and other climate change-induced risks do not catch the residents of Zemgale and Northern Lithuania unprepared, the region’s municipalities, together with emergency services, have significantly strengthened their civil protection capacity. At the end of February, concluding the two-year project “Safe Response” at Jelgava Palace, representatives of the involved partners looked back at its main benefits: acquired rescue equipment, improved infrastructure, enhanced knowledge, and a newly developed cooperation memorandum.
Supported by the Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania Programme, the “Safe Response” project was created as a direct response to the growing threats of floods, storms, and wildfires in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania. Its goal was to establish a unified cross-border cooperation mechanism, comprehensively strengthen the region’s civil protection capabilities, and purposefully supplement the resources of rescue services.
Appropriate equipment is crucial for an operational response to the consequences of climate change, which is why project funding in the municipalities was invested directly in improving technical provisions.
-
Flood Monitoring: A video surveillance system was installed in Pļaviņas, Aizkraukle municipality, supplemented with loudspeakers for early public warning. Meanwhile, an automatic water level and precipitation measuring station was placed in the Kruoja River in the Pakruojis district.
-
Operational Capacity: Service efficiency is strengthened by an off-road vehicle handed over to the Bauska municipality police, as well as rescue boats and special equipment for water operations in Bauska and the Joniškis district. Professional drones with thermal cameras were purchased to detect the spread of fires, survey damage, and search for missing persons, while volunteer rescuers in Joniškis received new protective suits. The Žagarė fire brigade was also provided with new equipment.
-
Evacuation Arsenal: To combat the consequences of natural disasters and evacuate residents, the municipalities have secured a broad technical arsenal. Mobile generators of various capacities and specific water pumps, suitable for both flood response and firefighting needs, were purchased across the Aizkraukle, Bauska, and Jelgava municipalities, as well as the Joniškis and Pakruojis districts. Readiness for mass evacuation is bolstered by fully equipped civil protection tents and inventory for accommodating victims—ranging from folding beds and blankets to two-way radios and pet transport cages.
-
Security Infrastructure: Improvements include a renovated water reservoir and a new fire water extraction point in Jēkabnieki, Jelgava municipality. To refresh residents during heatwaves, drinking water stations were installed in Iecava, Aizkraukle, and Pakruojis. These were supplemented with animal drinking troughs in Iecava, while a “water mist” cooling system was installed in Pakruojis.
However, the most valuable contribution of the “Safe Response” project is not just a broad arsenal of technical means. Thanks to the ZPR’s initiative, a unified, data-driven security system is being created for the entire cross-border region. To implement this, a fundamental situation study was conducted—covering everything from technical provisions to the skills of specialists and the level of civil protection readiness. This study served as the foundation for the Cross-Border Emergency Response Plan—a practical tool that, for the first time, defines unified cooperation algorithms in crisis situations on both sides of the border.
As ZPR Project Manager Artūrs Penčura emphasizes:
Our greatest achievement is elevating cross-border cooperation to a completely new level. The prepared cooperation memorandum will allow municipalities to promptly react and provide assistance in the neighboring country as well. This is critically important because natural disasters do not recognize national borders, therefore, we must build a unified security space where administrative obstacles do not delay rescue operations.
Recognizing that equipment is effective only in knowledgeable hands, a significant role in the project was dedicated to strengthening human resources. To adopt best practices, ZPR organized a two-day experience exchange visit to Wodzisław County (Poland), where partner safety specialists studied international experience in flood and fire management. Expert knowledge was also deepened in specialized seminars, including an analysis of the lessons learned from the 2023 Jēkabpils floods. Parallel to theory, intensive practical work took place: municipal services mastered drone piloting, working with the ArcGIS system, stress management, and water rescue, while cooperation capabilities were tested in large-scale cross-border simulation exercises in Eleja.
At the same time, long-term public involvement and education were prioritized. In February, an animated film created within the project was distributed to more than 100 state and municipal institutions, explaining the consequences of climate change and implemented safety measures in a simple, visual way. Additionally, various campaigns for school youth were held in the regions—from fire safety and “safe swimming” classes to tree planting and other educational events.
