Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels and delivered a powerful message of thanks to the teams protecting Europe during fires, floods, earthquakes, health emergencies and hybrid threats.
Von der Leyen praised the staff of the ERCC and ECHO, saying they are there 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays, whenever a crisis strikes.
She said their work does not only protect people — it saves lives.
The Commission President highlighted this year’s severe wildfire season, which started exceptionally early in late April and put national capacities under enormous pressure.
Since April, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated 10 times for wildfires in 8 different countries, sometimes with several emergencies happening at the same time.
Von der Leyen said Europe acts before the worst fires happen, with 800 firefighters prepositioned in high-risk areas to support local teams from the first critical hours.
She also stressed that teams from 25 countries were deployed over the summer, including — for the first time — firefighters from Ukraine helping inside the European Union.
Beyond wildfires, von der Leyen pointed to the ERCC’s global work: medical evacuations, earthquake response, flood mapping, emergency supplies and Copernicus satellite support.
Her message was clear: climate risks are changing, extreme events are happening more often and in more places at the same time, and Europe must adapt faster, strengthen prevention and act before emergencies become disasters.
At the ERCC, von der Leyen said she saw European solidarity in action — and a living example of why, when help is needed, you can count on Europe.
#eudebates #VonDerLeyen #ERCC #EUCivilProtection
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Emergency Response Coordination Centre in Brussels and delivered a powerful message of thanks to the teams protecting Europe during fires, floods, earthquakes, health emergencies and hybrid threats.
Von der Leyen praised the staff of the ERCC and ECHO, saying they are there 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays, whenever a crisis strikes.
She said their work does not only protect people — it saves lives.
The Commission President highlighted this year’s severe wildfire season, which started exceptionally early in late April and put national capacities under enormous pressure.
Since April, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated 10 times for wildfires in 8 different countries, sometimes with several emergencies happening at the same time.
Von der Leyen said Europe acts before the worst fires happen, with 800 firefighters prepositioned in high-risk areas to support local teams from the first critical hours.
She also stressed that teams from 25 countries were deployed over the summer, including — for the first time — firefighters from Ukraine helping inside the European Union.
Beyond wildfires, von der Leyen pointed to the ERCC’s global work: medical evacuations, earthquake response, flood mapping, emergency supplies and Copernicus satellite support.
Her message was clear: climate risks are changing, extreme events are happening more often and in more places at the same time, and Europe must adapt faster, strengthen prevention and act before emergencies become disasters.
At the ERCC, von der Leyen said she saw European solidarity in action — and a living example of why, when help is needed, you can count on Europe.
#eudebates #VonDerLeyen #ERCC #EUCivilProtection
