An edition, capable of calling over 25,000 volunteers and emergency operators once again to Montichiari, with an increasingly complete exposition for fire protection, civil protection and first aid. REAS 2022 concludes with record figures, confirming its increasingly international profile as an exhibition and its ability to give a voice to the Italian Emergency Management System. A concept reiterated by Italian Civil Protection Department Head Fabrizio Curcio at the ribbon cutting ceremony and the conference dedicated to the theme “Medevac and Disevac in international emergencies: state of the art and future perspectives”, at which, among others, participated the general Consul of Ukraine in Milan Andril Kartysh.
“REAS 2022 concluded in the best manner possible, applauded by exhibitors and visitors”, declares Gianantonio Rosa, President of Centro Fiera Montichiari. “The fair is the result of enormous group work that rewards the passion of those who work every day in the care of the territory and the safety of our communities. I wish to thank, in particular, the Authorities, the Institutions and the Government Bodies that each year exhibit their activities at REAS, establishing a direct connection with volunteers, operators and citizens”.
REAS is an occasion for meeting and exchange for emergency volunteers and, at the same time, a complete exhibition thanks to a high-level showcase offer. “REAS 2022 has registered a strong increase in exposition space”, explains Ezio Zorzi, Director of Centro Fiera Montichiari. “In particular we have registered considerable growth in fire protection companies with the presence of leading sector players. REAS is, to all intents and purposes, a reference fair, not only for the Italian market but for all of Southern Europe.”
Each edition of REAS is enriched with a programme of conferences, workshops and seminars, along with special events that allow visitors to appreciate close up the intervention protocols and the new technology available to those who work in rescue. This is the case with the “Zamberletti” Trophy promoted by Prociv Italy and dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Zamberletti, founder of the Civil Protection Department under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the “Driver of the year Trophy” and the “Rescue Dog Trophy”. In addition, REAS 2022 saw the debut of the “REAS Photo Contest”, a competition created to tell stories about the spirit of those who work in emergency contexts through photography and where the shot taken by Swen Baldinger, volunteer fire fighter from Bellinzona, in Switzerland during a forest fire protection operation, excelled.
With over 240 exhibitors, from Italy and 19 other countries, REAS confirms itself as an increasingly international exhibition, thanks to the partnership with INTERSCHUTZ Hannover, the most important global event dedicated to the emergency sector.
“This partnership with REAS and with Centro Fiera Montichiari is very important and we are highly impressed by the results and the work carried out to organize this edition of the fair”, declares Bernd Heinold, Senior Project Director INTERSCHUTZ – Deutsche Messe AG. “Apart from the significant visitor figures, the spirit of this fair, the optimism and the emotion that are felt in its halls, are important. Topical issues such as climate change and the emergency in Ukraine need the will to create networks and cooperation on an international level. An event like REAS offers an opportunity to compare and cooperate beyond national borders.”
“Over the last ten years since our partnership started, we have succeeded in positioning REAS at an international level”, highlights Andreas Züge, Managing Director of Hannover Fairs International. “The fair is now also better known abroad and has developed from an event for volunteers to an exhibition open also to professionals and companies. REAS continues to promote cooperation between different countries, also in terms of projects, activities and joint training exercises.”
“REAS offers an excellent opportunity to learn about the Civil Protection system of our Partner Country Italy”, explains Karl-Heinz Banse, President of the German Association of Firefighters (DFV). “Some weeks ago, Italian fire-fighting aircraft contributed significantly to the extinguishing of a forest fire of notable size in Germany. Technological transfer and international synergies are decisive factors for operating in emergency contexts.”
“It is indispensable to work together on a European scale to face current and future challenges”, declares Dirk Aschenbrenner, President of the German Association for the Promotion of Fire Protection (vfdb). “REAS was an excellent opportunity for interaction, dialogue and sharing our specific skills.”
Following a distinguished edition in terms of growing figures, REAS is looking optimistically forward to the 2023 edition, for which preparations will begin already in the coming days. The dates set for the International Emergency Exhibition at Centro Fiera Montichiari are from October 6th to 8th, 2023.
