The Public Fire Department of Virovitica took delivery of a new specialised vehicle for fighting forest and open-space fires on Tuesday. The vehicle is valued at 277 thousand euros including VAT, replacing the previous forest fire vehicle which was 24 years old.
The new vehicle is equipped with a 2,500-litre water tank, a cabin and chassis self-protection system, and a water thrower for fighting fires at greater distances. It also features two winches for rapid deployment with 30-metre hoses, which are most commonly used on open-space fires.
Department commander Robert Teskera highlighted that the vehicle arrives at the right moment. "It is smaller in size and significantly more manoeuvrable, which will allow us easier access to inaccessible terrain and weekend settlements, of which there are more and more in our area," he said at the handover ceremony. Due to the increase in open-space fires, he expects the vehicle to be used frequently.
The old forest fire vehicle will not be written off, but will be donated to the Voćin Volunteer Fire Brigade.
According to the acting county fire chief Boris Tomšić, this is the first of a total of 15 new firefighting vehicles that will be delivered to firefighters in Virovitica-Podravina County by the end of the year. Deliveries are proceeding, he said, thanks to the Government, the County Fire Association and the City of Virovitica.
Virovitica Mayor Ivica Kirin stated that investment in firefighting is continuous, in both equipment and personnel, and that the department possesses a modern fleet. County Governor's envoy Bojan Mijok reminded attendees that fire stations and equipment for volunteer brigades across the county are being renewed in parallel, as these areas are increasingly affected by severe weather.
Among those present at the handover ceremony were the head of the Virovitica-Podravina Police Department, Marcel Štrok, and the head of the Virovitica Area Civil Protection Service, Željko Vukoja.
