The number of planes, helicopters and even drones used in Italy to fight forest fires is increasing. In fact, this summer the firefighting campaign will be able to count on 34 aircraft, coordinated by the Unified Air Operations Center (COAU) of the Civil Protection Department. This fleet will consist of fourteen “Canadair CL-415”, two “AT-802 Fire Boss” amphibious aircraft, five “S-64 Skycrane” helicopters and thirteen other helicopters of various models. In summer 2022, the COAU carried out 1,102 firefighting missions, with a total of 5,849 flight hours for the launch of more than 176 million liters of extinguishant. Planes and helicopters are also joined by drones, increasingly used by the Carabinieri Forestry, the Fire Brigade and also by the regional Civil Protection organizations to control the territory, identify the fires early and perhaps catch any arsonists in the act. The latest technological innovations on the front of the use of aerial vehicles in the fight against forest fires will be among the topics at the center of REAS 2023, the twenty-second edition of the great international exhibition on emergencies, civil protection, first aid and fire prevention, which will take place from 6 to 8 October at the Montichiari Exhibition Center (Brescia).
During REAS 2023, two brand new “made in Italy” fixed-wing and solar-powered drones will be presented for the first time, capable of flying during the day for many hours even over long distances: we are talking about the “FireHound Zero LTE“, a drone equipped a sophisticated infrared sensor for identifying fires and capable of transmitting the precise coordinates of even a small bonfire, and the “Fire Responder”, a vertical take-off and landing drone capable of carrying six kilograms of extinguishing material to be dropped directly on the flames. Also as part of the fair, the new aeronautical map “Air Rescue Network Aeronautical Chart” will also be distributed, which will present for the first time the scenario of the entire Italian network of over 1,500 airports, airfields, airfields and heliports that can be used as logistic bases for civil protection operations, fire surveillance and air rescue. The exhibition program also includes a round table on the 2023 summer firefighting campaign, organized by the magazine “La Protezione Civile Italiana”, a conference on “Drones in firefighting missions”, promoted by the Roma Drone Conference, and a training workshop for volunteers on helicopter operation techniques, organized by Aifos Civil Protection and SicurScuola.
REAS is organized by the Montichiari Exhibition Center in partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and with Interschutz, the world’s leading specialized trade fair which takes place every four years in Hannover (Germany). About three months after the opening, reservations for the exhibition area are now almost sold out. This confirms the growing trend of the 2022 edition, which saw the presence of over 240 companies, organizations and associations from Italy and 19 other countries. All the latest technological innovations in the sector will be exhibited in the pavilions of the Exhibition Centre, such as new products and equipment for first aid operators, special emergency and fire-fighting vehicles, electronic systems and drones for interventions in the event of natural disasters and also aids for people with disabilities. At the same time, an extensive program of conferences and seminars is planned for the three days of the show, which will offer visitors an important opportunity for training and professional updating. In fact, numerous conferences, round tables, demonstration sessions, thematic corners and contests are already being prepared, which will involve prominent speakers and representatives of institutions, bodies, state bodies and associations. Admission is free and open to all, subject to online registration.