Zajednièke vježbe vatrogasaca

27.05.2004.

 

Budva/Brussels, 27 May 2004

PRESS RELEASE

Three Nations Fire Fighting Unit undergoes “Baptism of Fire”

 

A Joint Fire-Fighting Unit made up of a hundred men strong brigade of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro held a joint fire fighting exercise in Budva, Montenegro, on 27 May 2004.  This marked the practical inauguration of the unit and concluded the implementation of a Stability Pact Disaster Prevention and Preparedness project started 15 months ago.  Speaking on behalf of the Stability Pact, Deputy Special Coordinator pointed out “that it is these tangible and practical elements of cross-border cooperation, which will make the population understand the merits and benefits of regional cooperation.  Helping each other across border in case of disasters is a part of European normality.  Here and today we have come a step closer to achieving this.”

The exercise scenario was based on forest fires in that area – a frequent occurrence in the summer months -, which easily can cross national borders.  The objectives of the exercise were to train and evaluate: rapid response, facilitated border crossing procedures, coordination at the fire site and joint command, harmonized fire-fighting tactic, equipment and communication interoperability.

More than a hundred fire fighters and twenty fire trucks from three countries conducted the exercise together.  They had support of helicopters (Mi8 MTV1) and fire fighting aircraft of the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior.

Also hosted by the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, Inspectorate for Fire and Explosion, a Round Table discussion about Disaster Management was held.

The three nations fire fighting unit, which is stationed in 6 different locations in the border area, is composed of up to 100 men and has been equipped with the contribution of the donors Switzerland and the USA.  The design of this cross-border cooperation project is such that it can serve as model for other regions in Southeast Europe with a need for crossborder disaster response.  To this end, the Stability Pact’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Task Force working in close cooperation with national disaster response agencies and relevant NGOs, such as the East-West Institute.  The East West Institute is a major partner of the Stability Pact in the field of establishing “Euroregion”-style cross border cooperation throughout the region.

 

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PR2004/015

Povratak