The FEU, Federation of EUropean Fire Officers, a collective voice representing the interests of Fire Officers across Europe, gathered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, during the FEU Seminar and Council Meeting on 5-6 November 2026.
At the FEU Council Meeting in Amsterdam, the Federation of European Fire Officers underlined that Europe’s historic town centres and heritage buildings face growing pressures from extreme weather, flooding, wildfires, heat, long‑term climate impacts and intentional acts such as antagonistic threats and arson. These developments show that traditional, fragmented approaches are no longer enough to safeguard our most vulnerable cultural assets.
Historic urban areas, often dense, interconnected and structurally fragile, need a modern, integrated approach to risk management. Europe once used holistic urban planning to prevent large city fires; today, we must adopt a contemporary equivalent. This requires strong cross-sector cooperation between fire and rescue services, heritage specialists, local authorities, owners and civil-protection partners. Roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined and understood before incidents occur, supported by shared information, well-prepared emergency arrangements and coordinated action during emergencies.
The FEU emphasises that effective protection depends on five elements:
- Integrated planning that brings fire safety, spatial design, heritage preservation, climate resilience and crisis management together from the start.
- Risk‑based prioritisation, acknowledging that not all sites face the same threat level or potential impact.
- Innovative and collaborative practice, drawing on new technologies, sustainable prevention measures and the exchange of operational experience across Europe.
- Preparedness that includes emergency planning, evacuation procedures, regular exercises and cooperation between all organisations responsible for cultural heritage.
- Clear responsibilities that are agreed and understood in advance, enabling coordinated decision-making and action during incidents.
Safeguarding cultural heritage is not only about protecting structures but preserving identity and historical continuity. The FEU calls on all partners to work towards a coordinated, forward-looking model that equips European cities to protect their heritage in a changing risk landscape. The FEU encourages stronger European exchange of good practice, lessons learnt, training opportunities and risk-assessment methodologies, leading to practical and shared priorities for improvement.
For further inquiries, please contact FEU Secretary, Mrs Anna Andersson Carlin at
