RESPONSE behind the scenes: How children learned to react in emergencies
When we talk about disaster protection, we usually imagine firefighters, specialised equipment and action in real emergencies. But preparedness starts much earlier – in the classroom.
And sometimes it begins with the simplest things: what to do during an earthquake, how to react if you smell smoke, or how to stay calm when people around you panic.
These were exactly the kinds of situations addressed during the children’s trainings carried out under the strategic project RESPONSE, funded with over €7.2 million under the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia 2021–2027 Programme. As part of the project, 3,039 children from different regions of Bulgaria took part in emergency response training sessions.
The trainings began in March 2025 and gradually reached schools across Sofia Region, Vratsa, Pernik, Montana, Vidin and Kyustendil. Everywhere, the approach was the same – not simply to teach theory, but to help children understand what they should actually do if they find themselves in a dangerous situation.
In Bozhurishte, 170 first- and second-grade students from “Letets Hristo Toprakchiev” Secondary School participated in a training session led by representatives of the Regional Directorate “Fire Safety and Civil Protection” – Sofia and the General Directorate “Fire Safety and Civil Protection”. Through presentations and discussions, the children learned how to react in case of fire, earthquake or flood, and at the end of the session they received materials related to safe behaviour during disasters.
Similar trainings were held in Kostinbrod, Elin Pelin, Pernik, Vidin, Kyustendil and many other settlements. In some schools, children asked dozens of questions. In others, they explored fire trucks with curiosity or took part in practical exercises.
One of the most memorable moments took place in Vratsa, where around 200 children from “Ivancho Mladenov” Primary School participated in an evacuation drill. In just a few minutes, the students calmly and orderly left the building while covering their mouths and noses with wet cloths – exactly as they should in a real fire and smoke emergency.
In the Montana Region, the trainings involved more than 500 children and were carried out in schools in Berkovitsa, Dolni Tsibar, Chiprovtsi, Lom and Brusartsi. Through presentations, practical scenarios and discussions, students learned how to react during different disasters and what the most important first actions are.
Special attention during the sessions was also given to the idea of the family emergency backpack – something that may seem small at first glance, but becomes extremely important in situations where quick reaction is needed.
But perhaps the most important part of these trainings was something else.
The children did not see the topic as just another “lesson”. They listened carefully, asked questions, shared their own stories and reacted with much greater seriousness than adults often expect.
This is exactly where the value of such initiatives becomes visible – in showing that a culture of preparedness begins early, not in the middle of a crisis, but long before it happens.
Behind the scenes of these trainings remained lively classrooms, children’s curiosity and many smiles. But something even more important remained as well – the confidence that preparedness can begin on time and that safety is built step by step, starting at school.
