Czech firefighters tackle storm damage and stress importance of volunteers

Severe thunderstorms swept Central Bohemia, prompting the regional fire service to log nearly a hundred incidents in just 12 hours. Fire crews recorded 65 fallen trees, many striking cottages and power lines, with the highest activity in the Prague‑East district (19 calls), followed by Kolín (17) and Benešov (14). The peak period between 19:00 and 20:00 saw 38 new emergencies, after which the flow of calls gradually declined.

At a national firefighters' conference in Ostrava, Senator Miloš Vystrčil highlighted the crucial role of volunteer fire brigades in the Czech Republic. He noted that the country now has over 350,000 volunteer firefighters, including more than 60,000 under 18, who provide essential safety, community support, and cultural heritage services across rural municipalities.