RIJEKA, Aug 21 (Hina) - Fire marshals from seven coastal counties on Thursday forwarded a letter to state officials saying that "the media have contributed to the public's negative opinion about the functioning of the fire-fighting
system on the basis of statements made by top state officials".
RIJEKA, Aug 21 (Hina) - Fire marshals from seven coastal counties on
Thursday forwarded a letter to state officials saying that "the
media have contributed to the public's negative opinion about the
functioning of the fire-fighting system on the basis of statements
made by top state officials". #L#
The letter, signed by fire marshals from Dubrovnik-Neretva, Split-
Dalmatia, Sibenik-Knin, Zadar, Lika-Senj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar
and Istria counties and the head of the Croatian Fire-Fighters'
Association, Zeljko Popovic, was sent to parliament president
Zlatko Tomcic, Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Interior Minister
Sime Lucin.
Speaking about the efficiency of the fire-fighting service, the
fire marshals said that in this year's 4,710 fires, less than three
hectares of land per fire had been consumed, which was
significantly less than in 2000, when the fire-fighting system was
centralised and 37.5 hectares of land had been burnt per fire.
They believe the system is not inefficient, but that there is a lack
of financial resources and that units are illequipped as well as
that the number of fire-fighters in the field is insufficient.
The letter says the fire-fighters' association had suggested that
1,000 seasonal fire-fighters be employed this year, as long-term
droughts had been announced, however, there were no funds even for
500 seasonal fire-fighters and the chief marshal was not heeding
the county marshals' proposals.
The county fire marshals wonder why fire-fighting units from
continental fire-fighting volunteer units had not been engaged
considering the frequent fires. They also ask why the chief marshal
had not engaged the state fire-fighting command which had been
established on the basis of an intervention plan for big open
fires.
The fire marshals say that funds for hiring fire-fighters should be
set and secured and better efficiency of the fire-fighting system
ensured through the organisation of a uniform fire-fighting
organisation outside the ministry and decentralisation of fire
prevention funds.
The fire marshals suggested a meeting with state officials to
discuss the problems in fire-fighting.
(hina) lml