The Capital City Protection and Rescue Service is intensively strengthening its operational readiness for the upcoming fire season, said the commander of the service, Nikola Bojanović, stating that they have enough members for regular activities, and that an additional increase in the number of officers is planned before the start of the season.
Bojanović told the MINA agency that preparations for the upcoming fire season are proceeding according to plan.
"The Protection and Rescue Service is working intensively to strengthen operational readiness. The number of members is currently sufficient for regular activities, and an additional increase in the number of personnel is planned before the start of the season," said Bojanović.
As he stated, vehicles and equipment are regularly serviced to ensure they are fully technically sound and ready for interventions.
Bojanović said that the Service has adequate equipment and specialized firefighting vehicles for various purposes, including a certain number of older vehicles that are regularly maintained.
"There are 71 firefighters-rescuers in the operational team, which allows for uninterrupted shift work and daily interventions," Bojanović pointed out, adding that starting this fire season, personal protective equipment for forest fires and technical interventions have been provided for all firefighters.
He stated that five new firefighters were recently hired, which replaced the number of members who retired and stabilized the operational composition.
"During the summer months, seasonal engagement of additional firefighters under contract is planned. In the long term, a gradual increase in the number of operatives is being considered in accordance with the needs of the service," said Bojanović.
As he said, the instructions for services and companies of the Capital City will be completed in the second half of April and submitted to Mayor Saša Mujović.
"The document will contain guidelines for preventive activities, obligations of city services and methods of coordination during the fire season," explained Bojanović.
According to him, the goal of the instructions is greater preparedness and more efficient operation during the summer months.
Bojanović said that at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, significant funds were allocated for the modernization of the service and the improvement of working conditions.
"A specialized ladder vehicle, protective equipment for forest fires and technical interventions have been purchased, and the premises for firefighters to live and work have been adapted. Allocations for vehicles and equipment have almost doubled, with continuous professional training of members," Bojanović pointed out.
Speaking about prevention, he said that preventive measures are implemented continuously, through regular visits to risky locations and coordination with other city services.
"The hydrant network and access roads for fire trucks are being continuously checked for faster response in the event of a fire. Meetings with representatives of local communities have also been planned to highlight the importance of preventive action," said Bojanović.
He stated that during last year's fire season, around 1,5 thousand interventions to extinguish fires in open spaces were recorded.
"The season was one of the most demanding for the Service due to the large number of fires, unfavorable weather conditions and terrain configuration, which made extinguishing even more difficult," said Bojanović.
He pointed out that everything indicates that the most common cause of the fire was burning waste and the carelessness of citizens.
According to Bojanović, citizens can significantly contribute to reducing the risk of fires by behaving responsibly during the summer months.
"It is necessary to avoid lighting fires outdoors, maintain yards and remove flammable material from plots. Any fire observed should be immediately reported to the Protection and Rescue Service at 123," said Bojanović.
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