To promote a series of joint actions for fighting forest fires, help in protecting the territory and assisting victims of natural disasters, a Memorandum of understanding with the Italian State Forestry Department was signed on 2 August in the headquarters of the Order of Malta’s Italian First Aid Corps (CISOM). As a result, the Forest Rangers can rely on the contribution of 1,600 ‘forest sentries’ for sighting fires – an invaluable aid during the summer months, when thousands of acres of woodland along the entire Italian peninsula are at risk of going up in flames.

The agreement was signed by the head of the State Forestry Department, Cesare Patrone and the president of the Italian Association of the Order of Malta, Fausto Solaro del Borgo, in the presence of the national manager of the Order’s Italian First Aid Corps, Mauro Casinghini.

The memorandum of understanding included CISOM’s pledge to offer medical assistance and logistic support to the State Forestry Department during natural disasters. CISOM will also offer first-aid courses for dog support units and for Forest Corps personnel employed on ski slopes and in Alpine rescue.

Particularly significant is the cooperation in protected areas managed by the State Forestry Department, where CISOM’s volunteers will accompany the disabled along the Forestry nature trails: there are fourteen paths, specially designed for those with physical or sensory limitations.