As an international platform for trends and technologies in defence and security, the Future Forces Forum is always a huge benefit not only for me personally, but also for the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic; and I am honoured to be able to participate in it. 

I am sure that this year’s Future Forces Forum will greatly enrich us, as did the previous events. The development of modern technologies in the field of safety is crucial for the activities of firefighters. Our work is very diverse, often unpredictable, and requires readiness for many different types of emergencies and scenarios. The Fire Brigade of the Czech Republic does not only operate on the territory of the Czech Republic, but our people and equipment also help abroad in international rescue operations. In 2024 alone, we were helping in France in connection with floods, and in Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia for large-scale forest fires. The reason why our units are requested for deployment abroad is not only due to our training and experience, but also due to the special equipment we use, made, among others, by leading Czech manufacturers.  

Through the latest Future Forces Forum platform in 2022, we had presented our special reinforced water tender and technology for large-scale fire extinguishing. This year, in line with one of the main themes of the Future Forces Forum, we plan to showcase among other things our decontamination stations; special equipment mainly used for mass decontamination of people affected by hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive substances.

Firefighters encounter hazardous substances very often, whether it is during routine emergencies or large-scale industrial accidents. The main theme of this year's Future Forces is more than important for us, but other topics of this year's program will be valuable as well, in considering the need to restore infrastructure and resources damaged by the devastating floods that hit a large part of the Czech Republic in mid-September.   

I wish the organizers that this year's Future Forces Forum event is a great success as always, and that it again inspires, connects and stimulates a debate for all who are involved in defense and security.

Director General

Ministry of the Interior – Directorate General

Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic