It was a true honor for Fondazione SAFE to welcome General Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, on the occasion of his official visit on the final day of the 25th edition of the BeSAFE HEAT – Hostile Environment Awareness Training course.
His presence represented an important institutional acknowledgment of the value of our training programs and our broader commitment to promoting a modern, pragmatic, and internationally oriented culture of safety and security.
The BeSAFE HEAT courses, accredited by the European Security & Defence College (ESDC), are delivered in close collaboration with the Italian Armed Forces and are designed to equip journalists, humanitarian workers, technicians, and international personnel with the skills and awareness necessary to operate safely in high-risk environments.
SAFE is proud of its solid partnership with the Italian Army, particularly with CE.ADD.OS (Special Operations Training Center), a strategic collaboration that has been crucial to delivering high-impact training activities. Since the launch of the BeSAFE HEAT program, 25 courses have been delivered, involving over 240 participants. Of these, 13 were conducted in partnership with CE.ADD.OS, including 5 specialist modules held entirely in English for personnel deployed in EU CSDP missions. Among the participants trained, 127 were media professionals, including journalists, radio reporters, and RAI operators.
Our training commitment has received significant institutional recognition: the BeSAFE HEAT course was officially accredited by the ESDC in 2021, and in 2022, Fondazione SAFE was awarded the contract for the training of RAI personnel.
Courses are held at Zona Controllo – Training & Testing Area in Monte Calvarina, a former NATO base redeveloped by SAFE and transformed into a center of excellence for advanced training and technological innovation.
Since November 2023, the Monte Calvarina Testing and Training Area has been officially recognized as a NATO DIANA Test Center, supporting the development and validation of emerging dual-use technologies across more than 10 European research and innovation projects.
We are deeply honored to collaborate with the Italian Army and particularly proud to work alongside the excellence embodied by CE.ADD.OS. It is a privilege to operate according to such high professional standards, and we are grateful for the trust and ongoing collaboration in building a safer and more resilient future.
We extend our sincere thanks to General Carmine Masiello, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, for his visit and for this meaningful expression of institutional support and confidence.