The Directorate for Protection and Rescue has issued a public call inviting former police officers, military personnel, and firefighters to join wildfire response teams during the summer months. The measure is intended to reinforce operational capacity as the country faces increasing risks associated with high temperatures, prolonged drought, and the growing threat of large-scale forest fires.
According to the plan, recruits will serve in several key operational roles, including driving specialized firefighting vehicles, operating fire suppression equipment, and participating directly in field intervention teams. Authorities have also prepared specialized vehicles, including former military equipment adapted for firefighting operations.
 |
The initiative was announced by the Director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Stojançe Angelov, who called on experienced former security and emergency personnel to support the country's firefighting efforts. Participants accepted into the program will receive approximately €2,150 for three months of service during the summer season, while retired applicants will continue receiving their regular pensions.
Officials are seeking candidates with at least five years of experience in the police force, armed forces, or firefighting units. Applicants must also meet physical and health requirements necessary for demanding field operations.
The recruitment drive reflects a broader regional concern as Balkan countries increasingly face extreme weather conditions linked to hotter summers and longer dry periods. Wildfires have become a recurring challenge across Southeast Europe in recent years, placing significant pressure on emergency services and public resources.
North Macedonian authorities say the decision comes after several difficult fire seasons that exposed the need for additional personnel and improved preparedness. By drawing on the experience of retired and former emergency responders, the government hopes to expand its operational capacity before the peak summer months, when wildfire outbreaks typically become more frequent and more difficult to contain.
As climate-related risks continue to intensify across the region, the initiative highlights how governments are increasingly turning to unconventional workforce solutions to address growing environmental and civil protection challenges.