Firefighting, Puglia's problems: the helicopter contract was blocked, and the promised Canadair never arrived.

An entire summer without access to aerial firefighting services, having to wait each time for the arrival of the Fire Department's Canadair helicopters based between Pescara and the Tyrrhenian Sea. And without the National Civil Protection Department ever considering the need to move one of its public fleet aircraft to Foggia, as Governor Michele Emiliano had already announced. It's a true miracle, then, that rescue teams have managed to tackle a 20% higher number of fires than in 2024. But the Region also bears its share of responsibility: the contract for the firefighting helicopters has not yet been signed, despite a specialized company able to deploy immediately submitting its bid for the tender launched in early July.

After an initial unsuccessful bid, the deadline for the second three-year tender (with an option for a fourth year) worth €9 million expired on July 1st. The Region was seeking an operator capable of providing a turnkey service (rental and pilots), with helicopters based in Puglia and takeoff within 15 minutes of call. The tender called for two helicopters, each to be used for 70 days (220 hours) per year, to be based wherever necessary, using them not only for firefighting operations but also—if necessary—for reconnaissance and the urgent transport of Civil Protection personnel and equipment.

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