Fires in Albania, municipalities lack firefighters, number 25% less than legal standards

The legislation stipulates that any fire and Rescue Protection Service station (MZSH) -- an operational and inspection unit that is established in every municipality -- must implement the standard of having 1 professional firefighters for 1,5002,000 people.

In total, in all municipalities in the country's range, 1,300 firefighters are employed according to data from Albania's Institute of Togethers. In the annual report for the “Local Governance in Albania- Report on the Current Situation 2024” Albania's Institute for Together states that the average number of firefighters at the national level reaches 0.5 firefighters for 1,500 residents, while the number of fire vehicles is 0.9 per 10,000.

This shows that the number of firefighters employed by 1,500 residents is about 25% below the level required by law “for fire protection and rescue”.

Albania's Institute of Togethers Executive Director Agron Hadzimali told the Monitor that not only is the number of firefighters below the level specified in the 2015 law, but their number also turns out to have an uneven distribution, where small municipalities have more firefighters and fire vehicles per capita than large municipalities.

But this could be related to population distribution in rural areas, where distances are greater and the most difficult road infrastructure. While Tirana has the lowest number of firefighters and fire vehicles per capita, which can be explained with population concentration and the most developed road infrastructure in capital”, he says.

And by the end of 2018, fire stations with a minimum staff of 14 were established in each municipality. The number of fire stations is 70.

Under the ongoing challenges Albania has for fire protection, the executive director of Albania's Institute for Together, Agron Hadzimali, stressed the importance of modernising operational means and fire forces.

He commented on the current situation of fire management in several municipalities, including Delvina and Gramsin, where not only local fire forces are engaged, but also helicopters and Albanian and foreign armed forces.

“On the ground for the extinguishing of fires, especially in the Delvina and Grams Basin, local fire forces, municipal fire vehicles, as well as Albanian Air Force and foreign helicopters for the difficult areas have been engaged. The very important part has been the willingness of citizens and volunteers. ”

According to Hadzimal, although there has been coordinated efforts, fire infrastructure in these municipalities remains limited, with lack of modern means and the need for more trained personnel.

“on both municipalities has been issued evacuation orders for several villages, and interference between local and central structures has been co-ordinated to curb flames.

However, the fire infrastructure in these municipalities is limited, with few modern means and the need for more trained personnel, which makes it difficult to respond to large-scale emergencies.

In this case, the very important contribution of aircraft from European mechanization of defence must be stressed.

This shows once again how important investment is in such tools. But the civil protection system is required to be more vital and integrated, in resources, technology, infrastructure, organisation, awareness education etc.”.

In the World Bank's latest report on Albania's readiness to put out fires, it was stressed that the country has limited capacity to extinguish fires in remote areas, due to the lack of specific equipment such as thermal cameras and vehicles specialising for mountain and remote areas.

“Albania needs more fire vehicles and modern equipment that can serve to cope with more difficult situations, especially in isolated areas,” added Hadzimali.

This reflects another major challenge for local administration and for the government that must provide sufficient funds for improving fire service capacities and future fire management. In this context, the Institute for Albanian Together has recommended increasing sectoral transfers and creating a special fund for fire emergencies, which can be used to cope with critical situations.

This includes: Enhancing funds for modernising the fleet of fire vehicles, especially in municipalities with difficult infrastructure; financial support for increasing the number of firefighters in relation to the population and specific needs of each municipality.

Also, according to Albania's Institute of Together for Coping with Emergency Situations for municipalities, there is a need to draw up detailed plans for fire management, adapted according to the characteristics of each municipality and capacity in this sector to put out forest fires, as this represents a different typeology from urban fires.

For 2025, the country's 61 municipalities have benefited a $2.1 billion fund (about 21m euros) for the fire protection service through the unconditional transfer from the state budget. Compared to 2024, this fund has increased by 36%.

While for civilian emergencies, the 2025 fund that will be available from the state budget is $5.4 billion (about 55m euros), an increase of 1.4% compared to 2024.

Agron Hadzimali, director of Albania's Institute of Togethers, earlier recommended that a relocation of budget funds for emergency situations is needed. He suggested that municipalities facing difficult situations benefit more funds, reports Monitor. al, broadcast Periscope.

What the Law Defines

Article 7 Organizing Service Building

1. The fire protection service and rescue are organised at the central and local level. The General Directorate of Defence from Fire and Rescue represents the central level; the MZSH service structures in the municipality represent the local level and are organised in the director or sectors.

2. The MZSH General Directorate, depending on the minister, represents the highest technical authority, supervisor and director of the SAA service. The MZSH General Directorate is organised to director with inspection functions, co-ordination, training and logistics.

3. The MZSH's department or service sector at the local level is depending on the mayor. It represents the basic operating and inspection structure in the field of fire protection and salvation on the territory in its jurisdiction.

4. Each municipality must cover its territory with fire service, complete stations with personnel, vehicles and fire equipment.

5. The MZSH service station is an operating and inspection unit depending on the chief of the MZSH service sector and is established in every municipality, implementing the 1 professional firefighters standard for 1500-2000 people.

6. Each station should have no fewer than 14 firefighters, professional personnel. /Periscope