President Milanović Visits Wildfire-Affected Areas in Zaton: The fleet is inadequately prepared, this should not have happened
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović visited today the area of Zaton near Šibenik, which was affected by a wildfire, where he spoke with fire commanders and firefighters who took part in extinguishing a major blaze in which some twenty houses were destroyed, as well as with the residents of those homes.
Commander of the Šibenik-Knin County Firefighting Association Darko Dukić, Commander of the Šibenik Public Fire Department Volimir Milošević and Commander of the Zaton Volunteer Fire Department Boris Dukić informed President Milanović on the current situation at the wildfire-affected area, about the firefighting activities of the past few days, the damage caused by the fire and on the challenges faced by firefighters in such situations.
After visiting the fire-ravaged areas, President Milanović commented on the firefighting air fleet’s responsibility and lack of preparedness for the wildfire: “It is inadequately prepared, this should not have happened and those in charge are responsible, the Government which the citizens entrusted to spend and invest their money – the Prime Minister above all, followed by Banožić. Whatever that man touched he messed up and it’s not for the first time. Because of him, we almost lost about a hundred American Bradleys. No hangars for expensive helicopters were built and they should have been completed long ago. It is pure incompetence and there is no justification. We are inadequately prepared. I am not saying that nothing has been done, but as usual not enough has been done. What I have seen are parcels of green areas that pose a fire risk next to populated areas, for which fines are not being issued. It is a question of safety and such things should be rooted out by the state.”
As another example of irresponsibility, the President cited low salaries of volunteer firefighters, which he believes should be higher as that would lead to more volunteers: “Do you know how much the volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line here during the summer get paid? 5,000 kunas! And then someone is expected to give their all fighting fires for 5,000 kunas. The money from the funds is our money, please take it and allocate it where it is needed.”
He also commented on the fire damage, saying: “The county prefect will declare a natural disaster and people will probably get something.” The President added that building owners should insure their property.
Responding to a question on whether he had inquired about the state of the firefighting air fleet as the Commander in Chief, the President replied: “The state of the firefighting air fleet is not the authority of the commander in chief. I did inquire about fire preparedness, but I am not responsible for it and cannot issue any orders. I can take notice, observe, and obtain information.” He concluded that the army has no place fighting wildfires in normal circumstances.
Touring the wildfire-affected areas in Zaton together with President Milanović were Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Marko Jelić and President of the Šibenik-Knin County Assembly Stipe Petrina. Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defence and National Security Dragan Lozančić was alongside President Milanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić