The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) is the main framework for cooperation between European states in the field of prevention, preparedness and response to large-scale emergencies. Established in 2001, the UCPM aims to strengthen collective intervention capacity in the face of natural or man-made disasters, providing a rapid, coordinated and efficient response both within the European Union and beyond.

The Republic of Moldova has been part of the UCPM since 2023, based on an association agreement that grants it full access to the platforms, resources and operational support mechanisms of the European Union. Through participation in this mechanism, the Republic of Moldova benefits from expertise, technical assistance and support in strengthening national civil protection capacities, while actively contributing to common European efforts through involvement in international missions, multinational exercises and the exchange of best practices.

The USAR Moldova team (Urban Search and Rescue) is a specialised intervention capacity of the Republic of Moldova, created in accordance with international INSARAG standards (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group – UN), to rescue people from destroyed urban environments, particularly after earthquakes, explosions, building collapses or other major disasters.

The USAR Moldova team is prepared for international missions as part of humanitarian assistance provided by the Republic of Moldova and participates in international UCPM and INSARAG exercises, as well as real missions in other countries, when requested through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).

Mission in Turkey - 2023

In February 2023, the USAR Moldova team, consisting of 55 rescuers and four canine units specially trained for searching in rubble, was deployed to the Republic of Turkey as part of an international mission in response to the devastating earthquakes in the Kahramanmaraș and Hatay regions. The mission was carried out through the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The team took over search and assessment sectors in affected localities in Hatay province, where it worked to search for survivors and assess earthquake damage. The activity was carried out in coordination with the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), contributing to the collective international humanitarian assistance effort and strengthening the Republic of Moldova's profile as a provider of aid in emergency situations at global level.

The Ground Forest Fire Fighting using Vehicles module (MD GFFF-V) is a specialised capacity of the Republic of Moldova, consisting of employees of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), equipped with special vehicles and equipment for major interventions to extinguish vegetation and forest fires in difficult terrain conditions. The module is mobile, autonomous for extended periods and can be deployed internationally to support countries affected by major fires. Within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), MD GFFF-V complies with European operational standards, being able to cooperate with similar teams from member and participating states, ensuring efficient large-scale interventions.

Mission in Greece - 2024

In the summer of 2024, employees of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Moldova, as part of the MD GFFF-V module, participated in another international mission in Greece, under the auspices of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The crew was deployed to high-risk areas for vegetation and forest fires, carrying out prevention, patrolling and rapid intervention actions to locate and extinguish outbreaks. The mission involved direct coordination with Greek authorities and other international teams, ensuring an integrated response to emergencies caused by forest fires.

During the intervention, Moldovan firefighters used modern special vehicles and equipment for fire extinguishing, being strategically allocated to mountainous and plain areas affected by fire. The professionalism, physical endurance and adaptability of the team were appreciated by international partners, the mission contributing to strengthening the image of the Republic of Moldova as an active and reliable partner in disaster management at international level.

Mission in Greece - 2021

Between 6–18 August 2021, a contingent of 25 firefighters and rescuers from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, accompanied by five intervention special vehicles, participated in an international mission to extinguish forest fires in Greece, within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The team from the Republic of Moldova operated mainly on the island of Evia, one of the most affected regions, where it carried out work to locate and extinguish outbreaks, protect inhabited areas and create safety strips to limit the spread of flames. The intervention took place in extreme temperature conditions, strong winds and rugged terrain, in direct collaboration with teams from Greece and other participating states.

This mission represented the first participation of the Republic of Moldova in an international forest fire fighting operation under the UCPM, before the country's official accession to the mechanism. The experience gained strengthened the operational capacities of IGSU and contributed to the integration of European intervention procedures into national practice, while strengthening cooperation relations with civil protection structures in EU member states.

The HCP (High Capacity Pumping) module is a component of the standardised capacities of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), designed to ensure high-volume water pumping in major flood situations, rapid water evacuation from urban, industrial or agricultural areas and water supply over long distances in large-scale fire cases. This type of module is essential for rapidly reducing the impact of hydrological disasters and supporting communities. Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, the HCP module is in the process of development and operationalisation, through equipping with state-of-the-art equipment, personnel training and alignment of procedures with UCPM standards, so that it can be deployed quickly both nationally and in international missions.