North Macedonia volunteer firefighter initiative

In mid‑July 2026, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue gathered volunteer firefighters from across North Macedonia at the "Goce Delchev" barracks in Aerodrom. Director Stojanče Angelov outlined a new internal structure intended to improve coordination, rapid information exchange, and command of rapid‑response teams for the upcoming summer fire season.

A few days later Angelov announced that the Directorate would provide institutional support and budget funding to the volunteers. The funding, derived from a recent budget rebalancing, is aimed at strengthening rapid‑response units and ensuring sufficient resources during the fire‑prone summer months. He cited the recent Gostivar fire, where multiple agencies—including health, water supply, and the Hydro‑Meteorological Agency—had been mobilised within three hours, underscoring the need for well‑equipped volunteer teams.

Together, the assembly and the subsequent funding announcement illustrate a coordinated effort by North Macedonian authorities to integrate volunteer firefighters more fully into the national fire‑suppression system and to enhance preparedness for seasonal wildfire risks.