Venue: Grado
Website: https://grado2026.it/
From the 14th to the 17th of May 2026, Grado will host the 25th International Firefighters’ Gathering, a major event that will bring together fire brigades and associations from all over the world on the ‘Island of the Sun’.
An opportunity for networking, friendship and professional exchange, but also a festival open to the public, featuring parades, exhibitions, family activities, conferences and entertainment.
Historic vehicles will also take centre stage, on display and in motion along the region’s roads, to celebrate the tradition and history of the fire service and, at the same time, the beauty of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Alongside the official programme, a large exhibition area will be set up for the duration of the event, featuring stands from industry companies, next-generation rescue equipment, demonstration areas and tastings of local food and wine, just a short walk from the beach and the city centre.
Download the official programme for the event and bus information, in PDF format, HERE.
Programme
Wednesday 13th May
09:00 – 19:00 | Palacongressi (Viale Italia, 2)
Opening of arrival checkpoint, participant registration, distribution of materials and certificates.
18.00 | Ex Cinema Cristallo (Viale Dante Alighieri, 25)
Opening of the exhibitions ‘I POMPIERI GRAISANI’ (a collection of over 200 photographs tracing the history of the Grado Fire Brigade from 1903 to the present day) and ‘POMPIERI IN SCALA’ (exhibition of scale models of fire engines from the Italian Fire Service and from as many as 55 countries around the world, created by Massimo Lugnan).
All day
Organised cultural, historical and food and wine tours, as well as visits to tourist destinations in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
Thursday 14th May
09:00 – 18:00 | Conference Centre (Viale Italia, 2)
Opening of the arrival checkpoint, participant registration, distribution of materials and certificates.
12:00 – 02:00 | Marquee (Sacca dei Moreri car park)
Entertainment and dancing under the marquee.
18:00 | In front of the Town Hall (Piazza Biagio Marin)
Official ceremony with the welcoming of the IFSO flag and greetings from civil and military authorities.
All day
Organised cultural, historical and food and wine tours, as well as visits to tourist destinations in the FVG region.
Friday 15th May
09:00 – 18:00 | Palacongressi (Viale Italia, 2)
Opening of the finish line checkpoint, participant registration, distribution of materials and certificates.
09:00 | Palacongressi (Viale Italia, 2) Conference: “RESCUE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Programme:
9.00 – Institutional greetings
9.30 – People with disabilities and inclusive pathways in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Michele Franz, Paola Pascoli – CRIBA FVG
9.50 – Disability and emergency planning: the experience of the FVG Civil Protection Agency
FVG Civil Protection Agency
10.10 – Manuals for inclusive emergency response: a survey
Livia Porro – CRIBA FVG
10.30 – Planning experiences in the field of inclusive emergency response
Stefano Zanut – CERPA Italia
10:50 – Coffee break
11.10 – Deaf people and emergencies. A manual for managing emergency situations in everyday settings
Consuelo Agnesi – CERPA Italia ETSValentina Foa – Pio Istituto dei Sordi (Charitable organisation), Milan
11.30 – People with autism and first-aider training
Cinzia Raffin – Fondazione Bambini e Autismo ETS, Pordenone
11.50 – Seismic risk and people with Down’s syndrome and intellectual disabilities: the experience of the “Casa al Sole” in Pordenone
Cinzia Paolin – Fondazione Down FVG ETS
12.10 – Cross-border assistance for vulnerable groups in natural disaster situations as part of the Sanitas project
The Interreg Sanitas project partners – Italy-Slovenia
12.30 – Discussion and questions
13.00 – Closing remarks
Moderator: Stefano Zanut
During the conference, presentations will be accompanied by subtitles and an Italian Sign Language (LIS) interpreter will be present. Italian-English and English-Italian translation will also be provided.
10.00 – 13.00 / 14.00 – 18.00 | Beach area (near the Bora Bora beach club)
Various recreational activities (e.g. simulations with the Red Cross, dog-related activities, exhibition area for historic vehicles, etc.).
12:00 – 02:00 | Marquee (Sacca dei Moreri car park)
Entertainment and dancing under the marquee.
17.00 | Conference Centre (Viale Italia, 2)
Assembly of delegates of the International Committee
All day
Organised cultural, historical and food and wine tours, and visits to tourist destinations in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
Saturday 16 May
08:30 – 14:00 | Departure from Viale Del Sole
Approx. 90 km vintage car tour in historic vehicles: Grado – Aquileia – Palmanova – Cormons (stop) – Capriva del Friuli – Gradisca d’Isonzo, with a visit to the Redipuglia Memorial.
09:00 – 12:00 | Palacongressi (Viale Italia, 2)
Opening of the finish line checkpoint, participant registration, distribution of materials and certificates.
10:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 – 18:00 | Beach area (near the Bora Bora beach club)
Various recreational activities (e.g. Red Cross simulations, dog-related activities, exhibition area for historic vehicles, etc.).
12:00 – 02:00 | Marquee (Sacca dei Moreri car park)
Fun and dancing under the marquee.
15:00 | Departure from the Grado Marine Spa
International parade of groups in historical costume, marching bands and vintage vehicles through the centre of Grado.
Sunday 17 May
10.00 – 13.00 | Beach area (near the Bora Bora beach club)
Various recreational activities (e.g. Red Cross simulations, dog-related activities, exhibition area for historic vehicles, etc.).
10:00 | Basilica of Saint Euphemia
Holy Mass, liturgical celebration dedicated to the gathering.
11:00 | In front of the Basilica of Saint Euphemia
Traditional blessing of the helmets.
11:15 | In front of the Town Hall (Piazza Biagio Marin)
Flag-lowering ceremony, greetings from the authorities and handover to the host city of the 26th International Rally.
Info: info@grado2026.it
Telephone: +39 340 45 75 221