The master’s thesis examines the strategy of preparedness, response, and command of firefighting units during large forest fires, with a case study of the Kras fire in 2022. Forest fires are among the natural disasters that, due to climate change, are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. In the theoretical part, the thesis defines natural disasters and the concepts of preparedness, response, and command, with particular emphasis on the ICS, IPS, and SVOD systems. The largest forest fire in Slovenia broke out in 2022 in the Goriška region of the Kras. A large number of firefighters and members of other units took part in the firefighting effort, and Slovenia also requested international assistance. The firefighting system in Slovenia demonstrates considerable organizational and operational strength; however, a large-scale intervention revealed certain shortcomings. Therefore, preparedness, response, and management of firefighting units during large wildfires in Slovenia were compared, through analysis, with Austria, Croatia, and France, which have a similar firefighting system structure but differ in approaches, preparedness, response, and management of interventions. Based on these comparisons, the research questions were addressed, and guidelines for Slovenia in these areas were proposed. International cooperation is also highlighted as essential. Given the increasingly severe consequences of climate change, it is crucial that Slovenia invest in training, equipment, and the modernization of the command system. This will ensure an effective response not only to forest fires but also to other major natural disasters, which, as past cases suggest, will become more frequent in the future.
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