Category Archives: 2026

REAS celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary and is preparing to bring together Italy’s emergency response sector from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Centro Fiera Montichiari (Brescia). Launched in 2001 with a focus on the volunteer sector, it is now Italy’s leading trade fair for firefighting, first aid, civil protection, disability services, and workplace safety. For the first time, the event will run from Thursday to Saturday—without opening on Sunday—aiming to strengthen professional dialogue while maintaining its vital connection to the volunteer community.

“Twenty-five years of history mark a significant milestone, but above all, a new starting point,” states Ezio Zorzi, Director of Centro Fiera Montichiari. “REAS has grown alongside the Italian emergency response system, keeping pace with its technological and organizational evolution. With this new Thursday-to-Saturday format, we aim to foster technical exchange, training, and relationship-building among companies, institutions, professionals, and volunteers.”

A comprehensive exhibition offering for the emergency sector

Spanning eight halls and over 30,000 square meters, REAS attracts more than 30,000 visitors from over 50 countries and exhibitors from more than twenty nations at each edition, covering the four key sectors that define its identity: firefighting, first aid and disability aids, civil protection, and workplace safety. The event is an international trade fair certified under ISO 25639:2008.

On display are vehicles for firefighting and natural disaster response—including units designed for flood or earthquake scenarios—as well as ambulances, drones, robots for locating missing persons, digital coordination solutions, and water rescue technologies. Significant emphasis is also placed on wildfire management, featuring solar-powered sensors, thermal drones, turbines, fire-retardant foams, and AI platforms for satellite data analysis.

Institutions, State bodies, and the voluntary sector: the link with the national system.

Over the past twenty-five years, REAS has built a strong bond with the Italian emergency management system, thanks to the involvement of public bodies, regional authorities, state agencies, volunteer groups, and industry associations. The trade fair’s growth is also driven by an internationalization strategy, featuring a joint organizational effort involving Centro Fiera Montichiari, Hannover Fairs International GmbH, and INTERSCHUTZ—the world’s leading trade fair for fire and rescue—under a partnership launched in 2014.

“REAS continues to establish itself as a key reference point for the emergency sector, both in Italy and abroad, while also serving as a platform for networking and partnerships between Italian and German companies and associations,” comments Andreas Züge, Managing Director of Hannover Fairs International. “We intend to further expand our collaboration in the future.”

The training mission: knowledge, practical training, and operational exchange.

Alongside the exhibition itself, REAS will feature an extensive program of conferences, workshops, seminars, and practical demonstrations aimed at professionals working in emergency response, firefighting, and rescue operations.

Scheduled events include a roundtable on forest firefighting (AIB)—organized by the magazine *La Protezione Civile Italiana*—which will review the summer campaign and facilitate discussion on prevention, monitoring, and suppression efforts. Also on the agenda is the “Giuseppe Zamberletti” Trophy, organized for Saturday by Prociv Italia to honor the founder of the Civil Protection service, as well as demonstration sessions and vehicle trials. A highlight of the comprehensive program of conferences and in-depth sessions is “Exercise Organisation Training: Design, Planning, Conduct, and Evaluation“—an international training course under the European PPRD East 4 project, organized by CISOM and offered during the fair.

Automatic sensors to rapidly detect forest fire hotspots, solar-powered drones that signal fire progression day and night, fire-retardant foams that halt the advance of flames toward inhabited areas, and even AI-equipped software platforms to process satellite imagery of at-risk zones—these are some of the new technologies being adopted to combat the forest fires that reduce vast green areas across Italy to ash every year. According to data from ISPRA, over 1,070 major fires were recorded in the country during the first seven months of this year, affecting an area of ​​approximately 741 square kilometers. New firefighting technologies will be among the key topics at REAS 2026, the International Emergency Exhibition taking place from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, October 10, at Centro Fiera Montichiari (Brescia). Now in its twenty-fifth edition, this event is the premier annual gathering for companies and professionals in the fields of firefighting, as well as first aid, civil protection, assistive devices for people with disabilities, and workplace safety.

The recurring wildfire crisis—particularly prevalent in summer—has spurred the research and business sectors to propose increasingly sophisticated and effective solutions. Various innovative technologies have been developed, including in Italy. For instance, small, solar-powered Silvanet sensors can be mounted on trees to transmit data on carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and other gases emitted during the early stages of a fire. The solar-powered Guardian XL drone can fly for over 24 hours carrying a thermal sensor capable of detecting even small hotspots. New FT40 firefighting turbines atomize water, cooling the area affected by the flames and aiding in extinguishment. Specialized “Air Foam System” foams can also be used to protect homes or at-risk structures before the fire front arrives. Finally, the EOSIAL Active Fire Viewer online platform allows for the visualization and monitoring of wildfire progression by automatically integrating data from various Earth observation satellites, such as Meteosat, Sentinel-3, and Eumetsat.

With the REAS 2026 trade fair opening in about two months, over 300 Italian and international exhibitors are expected to participate. In the halls of Centro Fiera Montichiari visitors will be able to view vehicles and equipment for operations in areas affected by wildfires and natural disasters, water rescue boats and devices, special vehicles capable of operating in flooded or earthquake-stricken zones, and aerial monitoring drones. The event will also feature ambulances equipped with life-saving first aid gear, communication systems linking operations centers with rescue teams, technical clothing for personnel, and innovative aids for people with disabilities. An extensive cultural program is also planned, featuring dozens of seminars and conferences—including the annual AIB (Forest Firefighting) round table organized by the magazine *La Protezione Civile Italiana*, which will present a review of the most recent summer forest fire campaign. Practical demonstrations are also on the agenda to support the training and professional development of personnel and volunteers in the rescue and civil protection sectors.

REAS is organized by Centro Fiera Montichiari in partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and the specialized trade fair Interschutz—held every four years, with the next edition scheduled for May 20–25, 2030, in Hannover. Once again, the event will see the participation of numerous public bodies, regional authorities, state agencies, and associations involved in the Italian emergency management system. Admission is free and open to all, subject to online registration, which will open shortly.

There are just two months left until the opening of REAS, which will bring the latest solutions, technologies, and equipment for emergency management to Centro Fiera Montichiari from October 8 to 10, 2026. This is a particularly significant event, marking its 25th edition and confirming the exhibition’s established role as a key reference point for Italy’s emergency response, civil protection, and safety sectors.

Launched in 2001 as an event primarily aimed at the volunteer community, REAS has grown alongside the sector to become a benchmark for the entire emergency management system. It attracts companies and professionals specializing in firefighting, civil protection, first aid, assistive devices for people with disabilities, and workplace safety, as well as institutions, state agencies, organizations, and associations dedicated to the daily prevention and management of emergency situations.

Today, the exhibition serves as a meeting point where the various components of the sector can discuss technological innovations, operational requirements, and evolving risk scenarios. This role is particularly significant in a field where response capabilities increasingly rely on the collaboration of diverse expertise, rapid communication, and access to advanced technological tools.

A new format for an even more professional trade fair

The 2026 edition introduces a significant change to the event format: for the first time, REAS will take place from Thursday to Saturday, excluding Sunday. This decision stems from a desire to better meet the specific needs of exhibitors, industry professionals, and buyers, thereby fostering a more qualified and professional audience. Adding an extra weekday will increase opportunities for direct engagement with companies, enhancing the specialized nature of the visit.

“The new Thursday-to-Saturday format marks another step in the growth of REAS,” explains Ezio Zorzi, Director of the Centro Fiera Montichiari. “We have listened to the feedback provided in recent years by exhibitors and industry professionals, who are increasingly keen on a trade fair characterized by a high level of visitor professionalism. Our goal is to make REAS even more effective as a venue for technical exchange, professional development, and business networking, while simultaneously maintaining the strong bond with the volunteer community that has defined its history.”

Technology and innovation serving the emergency response system

The exhibition at REAS reflects the complexity of a sector where innovation and operational capability increasingly go hand in hand. The Montichiari Exhibition Centre pavilions will showcase vehicles and equipment for fire and natural disaster response, special vehicles for operations in flooded or earthquake-stricken areas, drones and territorial monitoring systems, as well as solutions for medical rescue and emergency communications management.

Exhibits will also include ambulances and life-saving equipment, communication systems linking operations centers with rescue teams, personal protective equipment and technical clothing, and innovative aids for people with disabilities.

Special attention will also be paid to water rescue technologies—a topic relevant to a wide range of operational contexts, from emergencies caused by extreme weather events to operations on lakes and at sea.

The simultaneous presence of technologies, vehicles, and solutions from various sectors allows REAS to offer a comprehensive overview of emergency management, bridging the gap between operational needs and industrial innovation.

An increasingly international event

REAS is continuing its growth on the international stage thanks to its partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and INTERSCHUTZ—the world’s leading trade fair for the emergency sector, held in Hanover. Over the years, this collaboration has helped strengthen the international profile of the Montichiari exhibition, attracting foreign exhibitors, buyers, and industry professionals from numerous countries.

The figures confirm this trend: each edition of REAS draws over 30,000 attendees—with visitors from more than 50 countries—and involves over 300 Italian and international companies, organizations, and associations. The most recent edition featured 312 exhibitors from 29 countries, occupying over 30,000 square meters of exhibition space across eight halls.

The outlook for the 2026 edition is also highly positive. With the opening still about two months away, the event is already nearing full capacity regarding available space, driven by numerous returning exhibitors from previous editions and the arrival of new specialized companies.

“A quarter-century of history marks a significant milestone, but above all, a new starting point,” concludes Zorzi. “The results we are seeing two months out indicate that the sector views REAS as a key venue for networking, discovering innovations, and building new relationships. Our goal is to continue growing the event while maintaining strong ties to the Italian emergency sector and, simultaneously, strengthening its international reach.”

REAS 2026 will take place from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Centro Fiera Montichiari (Brescia).

After a year of intensive preparation, REAS—the International Emergency Exhibition—is fast approaching; it will take place from Thursday, October 8, to Saturday, October 10, at Centro Fiera Montichiari (Brescia). Now in its twenty-fifth edition, the event is the premier annual gathering for companies and professionals in the fields of firefighting, first aid, civil protection, assistive devices for people with disabilities, and workplace safety.

Indeed, emergency management requires increasingly integrated and cross-disciplinary skills to adapt to needs that vary based on a multitude of factors. During the summer, for instance, millions of Italians flock to major seaside resorts, putting rescue operations for swimmers or boats in distress to the test. Fortunately, however, the number of rescue interventions is declining: according to Coast Guard data, 1,367 people were rescued in Italian waters in 2025 as part of the “Safe Seas and Lakes” summer operation—a sharp drop compared to the 1,752 rescued in 2024 and the 1,716 in 2023. The number of fatalities is also decreasing; there were 83 deaths in 2025 due to sudden illness or accidents at sea, whereas 126 and 111 deaths were recorded in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cutting-edge maritime rescue technologies will be a highlight of REAS 2026, an edition increasingly focused on innovation.

According to Coast Guard data, emergency interventions for vessels in distress have also decreased; in the summer of 2025, 403 recreational vessels were assisted (compared to 515 in 2024 and 495 in 2023). Specifically, last year saw 203 vessels requiring assistance due to engine failure, 83 due to adverse weather conditions, 51 due to running aground, and 14 due to collisions. The number of inspections regarding recreational boating was substantial in 2025, totaling 38,786 (down from 40,944 in 2024 and 42,354 in 2023), with 3,666 violations recorded. Conversely, there was a marked increase in the surface area of ​​public maritime land that had been illegally occupied and subsequently restored to public use, reaching 505,000 square meters (compared to 340,000 sqm in 2024 and 197,000 sqm in 2023); this involved 83,248 inspections and the issuance of 1,703 administrative violation notices, resulting in total fines exceeding 1.6 million euros.

With two months to go before opening, the REAS 2026 trade fair is once again heading towards a sell-out, featuring over 300 Italian and international exhibitors. In the pavilions of the Montichiari exhibition center, visitors will be able to view vehicles and equipment for operations in areas affected by fires and natural disasters, boats and devices for water rescue, special vehicles capable of operating in flooded or earthquake-stricken zones, and drones for aerial monitoring. The event will feature ambulances equipped with life-saving first aid gear, communication systems linking operations centers with emergency responders, technical clothing for personnel, and innovative aids for people with disabilities. An extensive cultural program is also planned, comprising dozens of seminars and conferences, as well as practical demonstrations designed to foster training and professional development for emergency response and civil protection personnel and volunteers.

The REAS trade fair is organized by Centro Fiera Montichiari in partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and the specialized trade fair Interschutz—which takes place every four years, with its next edition scheduled for May 20–25, 2030, in Hannover. Once again, the event enjoys the patronage of numerous institutions, regional authorities, state agencies, and associations within the Italian emergency management system.

REAS’s participation in INTERSCHUTZ 2026, the world’s leading safety event, held in Hanover from June 1 to 6, concluded with a very positive outcome.

In an edition that confirmed the international importance of the Deutsche Messe event, REAS, an event “powered by INTERSCHUTZ,” played a leading role, presenting to industry professionals, companies, institutions, and stakeholders from around the world the innovations of the 25th edition, scheduled for October 8 to 10 at the Montichiari Exhibition Center.

INTERSCHUTZ 2026 recorded impressive numbers: approximately 140,000 visitors from 144 countries, 1,772 exhibitors from 55 nations, and over 120,000 square meters of exhibition space, confirming its global leadership in the sector. The growth in international participation was particularly significant, reaching 24% of total visitors, almost double the 2015 edition.

Within this exceptionally significant context, REAS was able to consolidate its internationalization process, further strengthening its strategic partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and INTERSCHUTZ. This collaboration has contributed to the growth of the Montichiari Emergency Exhibition since 2013 and its progressive establishment as a point of reference in Italy and Europe.

Our presence in Hannover with a stand in Hall 26 allowed us to develop new relationships with international buyers, leading companies, relief organizations, and institutional representatives, generating important networking opportunities ahead of the October event.

Among the highlights of the event was “Partner Country Day Italy” which on Wednesday, June 3, brought the Italian emergency management model to the forefront of international attention. The initiative provided an important opportunity for discussion on the role of civil defense, operational coordination in emergencies, the evolution of relief efforts, and the prospects for international cooperation. The roundtable discussion held in the afternoon at the INTERSCHUTZ Forum provided a wide-ranging opportunity for discussion, with speakers including Andreas Züge, General Manager of Hannover Fairs International GmbH, and Ezio Zorzi, Director of Centro Fiera Montichiari. The day concluded with celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, attended by Piero Vaira, Consul General of Italy in Hannover.

REAS has thus contributed to promoting Italian expertise in the emergency management sector, fostering dialogue between institutions, operators, and businesses on the new risk scenarios affecting Europe and the world. The 2026 edition of INTERSCHUTZ powerfully highlighted some of the key challenges that will shape the future of the sector: territorial resilience, civil protection, natural disaster management, climate change, digitalization, and artificial intelligence applied to relief operations. These topics will also be prominent at REAS 2026, where companies, professionals, and organizations will be able to discuss the most innovative technologies and solutions for emergency management.

Participation in Hannover also takes on a special symbolic value for REAS, which this year celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. Founded in 2001 as an event primarily dedicated to the world of volunteering, the show has successfully engaged businesses and production entities, supporting their development, to become the leading Italian trade fair for the fire prevention, first aid, civil protection, security, and assistance for persons with disabilities sectors.

In 2025, REAS attracted over 30,000 attendees, with 312 exhibitors from 29 countries and visitors from more than 50 nations, confirming steady growth both in terms of quantity and the professional quality of the professionals involved.

Four months before the opening of the new edition, the interest generated at INTERSCHUTZ confirms REAS’s strategic role in the European panorama of specialized events and suggests further growth in international participation.

The event will take place from October 8th to 10th, 2026, at Centro Fiera Montichiari, where companies, institutions, emergency workers, professionals, and volunteers will gather to celebrate REAS’s 25th anniversary and discuss the challenges facing the emergency response system in the coming years.

From October 8th to 10th, REAS will once again shine a spotlight on the Italian emergency system. With its 25th edition, held at Centro Fiera Montichiari (BS), the International Exhibition for Rescue, Fire Fighting, Disaster Relief and Security celebrates a significant milestone by relaunching its mission: to consolidate its leading role in Italy and strengthen the network of relationships it has built over the years throughout Europe.

At the heart of REAS’s international positioning is its partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH, established in 2013, and its structural link with INTERSCHUTZ, the world’s leading trade fair dedicated to the safety sector. This synergy has fostered the growth of international exhibitors and an increase in buyers and professionals from abroad.

Each year, REAS attracts over 30,000 visitors, including buyers, professionals, and volunteers, from around the world. In the 2025 edition, the event boasted exhibiting companies from 25 countries. This, along with its status as an international trade fair and ISO 25639:2008 certification, confirms the event’s growth. At each edition of REAS, technology, training, and institutional dialogue intertwine in a format designed for those working in the field and all companies producing innovative emergency solutions. The common thread is the ability to respond to disasters and today’s evolving critical contexts: increasingly complex scenarios that require speed, coordination, the exchange of know-how, and supranational governance.

“This year, REAS celebrates 25 years of history, a prestigious milestone that makes us proud and drives us to innovate and invest with even greater determination in the future,” says Ezio Zorzi, Director of the Centro Fiera Montichiari. “The partnership between Centro Fiera Montichiari, Hannover Fairs International, and INTERSCHUTZ, launched in 2013, has played a key role in the growth of REAS, an increasingly international event that will be a key player at INTERSCHUTZ 2026 on the Day dedicated to Italy as Partner Country.”

The International Emergency Services Exhibition will be present at INTERSCHUTZ in Hannover from June 1st to 6th with a dedicated stand, presenting the latest innovations and features of the 25th edition, scheduled for October 8th to 10th in Montichiari. REAS will also be a keynote speaker at the Italian Partner Country Day, which INTERSCHUTZ will dedicate to the Italian emergency management system on Wednesday, June 3rd. Among the key events is a roundtable discussion bringing together industry professionals, institutional representatives, and international stakeholders to explore the unique characteristics of the Italian model for civil protection, firefighting, and first aid.

The presence in Hannover will therefore be the operational prelude to the October edition of REAS, an opportunity to consolidate agreements, attract new international exhibitors, and bring qualified buyers from key markets to Montichiari.

The 2026 edition of REAS, scheduled for October 8th to 10th at Centro Fiera Montichiari (Italy), promises to be packed with important new features. On the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary, the event dedicated to the emergency sector continues its journey of innovation and concrete attention to the needs of professionals. One of the most interesting changes concerns the opening days: REAS 2026 will take place from Thursday to Saturday, with the aim of further facilitating visits by professionals and buyers and direct contact with exhibiting companies.

“With this new initiative, we’re addressing one of the key needs of exhibitors and visiting professionals,” explains Ezio Zorzi, director of Centro Fiera Montichiari. “For those working in the emergency sector, the trade fair is first and foremost an opportunity for technical discussion and commercial visibility. By opening from Thursday to Saturday, REAS aligns itself with the most important international events in the sector, further increasing specialization and visitor quality.”

Fire prevention, civil protection, first aid, and aids for people with disabilities, as well as emergency safety, will be the key areas of the event, with an exhibition program aimed at operators and volunteers. With over 30,000 attendees from over 50 countries worldwide, REAS is a benchmark for the Italian emergency management system. Its ability to mobilize agencies, government bodies, and institutions is an added value, making the event a platform for wide-ranging discussion and dialogue. The 2026 edition will also feature a program of conferences, seminars, and workshops, offering an in-depth look at key topics, with a specific focus on technological innovations as well as regulatory updates. The outdoor area will also feature demonstrations, product testing, and exercises, allowing visitors to witness the simulated implementation of specific protocols.

REAS also has an increasingly European reach. The event is organized by Centro Fiera Montichiari in partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and INTERSCHUTZ, the world’s leading trade fair for the emergency and rescue sector, held every four years in Hannover, Germany. At the next edition of INTERSCHUTZ, scheduled for June 1–6, 2026, REAS will be present with a series of special initiatives dedicated to the event’s 25th anniversary and to strengthening networking activities with international associations and companies that recognize the show as a strategic point of reference for the European market. In this context, the “Italy Partner Country Day” will be held on Wednesday, June 3, an opportunity for international operators and stakeholders to discuss REAS and the Italian emergency management model.

2026 marks a historic milestone for REAS, which will celebrate its 25th edition from Thursday, October 8th to Saturday, October 10th at the Montichiari Exhibition Center (BS). This symbolic and strategic event marks an event that, year after year, has established itself as a benchmark for the Italian emergency system, with an increasingly European focus.

Founded in 2001 as an event dedicated to civil defense volunteers, REAS has since its inception engaged leading companies in the fields of firefighting, civil defense, first aid, aids for people with disabilities, and emergency safety. In the Brescia area and surrounding provinces, a region historically rich in expertise and manufacturing and commercial businesses, the fair has immediately served as a valuable showcase, offering visibility, new networking opportunities, and, above all, a place for discussion and growth.

Twenty-five years later, REAS has become the go-to event for emergency workers, volunteers, institutions, and businesses, consolidating its increasingly international profile thanks to its decades-long partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH. The 2026 edition will take place for the first time from Thursday to Saturday, a decision dictated by the need to respond even more effectively to the needs of emergency workers and to strengthen the event’s growth and specialization.

“REAS’s goal has always been to provide concrete solutions to the companies and workers who deal with emergency management every day,” explains Ezio Zorzi, director of the Montichiari Exhibition Center. “Over time, the event has evolved to meet the needs of a constantly evolving sector: from companies investing in innovation and new technologies to institutions coordinating the Italian protection and rescue system.”

With over 300 exhibitors, companies, organizations, and associations from Italy and 24 other countries, over 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, and eight pavilions, REAS attracts over 30,000 attendees each year, with visitors from over 50 countries worldwide. These numbers confirm the event’s central role in the international trade fair landscape dedicated to the emergency. “Twenty-five years of history represent a significant milestone, but for us, it’s above all a new starting point,” concludes Zorzi. “The DNA of REAS and its exhibitors includes a commitment to hard work, innovation, and change.”

REAS is organized by the Montichiari Exhibition Center in partnership with Hannover Fairs International GmbH and INTERSCHUTZ, the world’s leading trade fair dedicated to emergencies, held every four years in Hanover, Germany. At INTERSCHUTZ, scheduled for June 1–6, 2026, REAS will be present with special initiatives dedicated to its 25th anniversary and to strengthening networking activities with international associations and companies that view the trade fair as a strategic event for the European market. On Wednesday, June 3, in particular, the “Italy Partner Country Day” will be held, an opportunity for international players to discuss REAS and Italy’s emergency management system.