Upcoming Trade Shows in Italy for Fire Protection

An interesting new story concerning the fire protection industry in Italy revolves around the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Italy, which is nearing end of construction. The garrison’s fire department is taking significant strides to ensure it is fully prepared to support the new influx of families. With eight new firefighters onboarded this quarter and an intensive four-month training program underway, the department is gearing up for a major transition when the new family housing projects are completed. USAG Italy’s fire department, under the leadership of Assistant Fire Chief Derek Sardinta, is dedicated to rigorous training and preparation. Each firefighter is required to complete 120 hours of training annually, working 12 to 48-hour shifts to meet both Italian and American regulatory standards. Over the past year, the department has amassed over 200 certifications, including Hazmat Awareness and Operations, Fire Fighter I and II, and High Fire Risk. The robust training regimen has yielded impressive results. The department currently exceeds the Department of Defense’s response time requirement, achieving a complete response time of seven minutes or less 94% of the time, surpassing the 90% standard. It’s a definite triumph for the fire protection industry in Italy. The department’s evolution over the years is notable. In the 1990s, USAG Italy relied on an all-Italian response team located off-site. Today, it boasts a full-service, DoD-regulated team with four fire stations: two at Camp Darby, one at Caserma Ederle, and one at Caserma Del Din. Plans are in motion to expand to five stations, including a new facility at Villaggio, to provide enhanced protection for soldiers and their families. Training scenarios are meticulously designed to cover a range of emergencies. Recently, rookie firefighters participated in a drill at the Villaggio housing area, simulating the rescue of victims from a burning house and the extraction of a fellow firefighter.