Volunteer firefighting societies from North Bačka District received equipment – STOP FIRES project

As part of the “Strengthening Fire Protection Organizations – STOP FIRES” project, which is being implemented with the support of the EU through the Interreg VI-A IPA Hungary – Serbia 2021-2027 program, firefighting equipment was delivered to voluntary firefighting societies from the North Bačka District.

Societies from Subotica, Donji Tavankut, Stara Moravica, Gornje Grahovo and Gunaroš received new equipment.

Mr. Ognjen Dopuđ, director of the Fund for European Affairs and Development of the AP Vojvodina, along with Mr. Tomislav Žigmanov, Vicepresident of Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, solemny handed over the equipment to volunteer firefighting societies. On that ocassion, Mr. Dopuđ stressed that cross-border cooperation is key in solving common problems, especially in

the context of climate change, which is increasingly leading to large-scale fires, and Mr. Žigmanov pointed out that the Provincial Government and it’s institutions understand the complexities of all the challenges that society faces today, so intensive work is being done both on prevention and on improving the working conditions of fire departments, in which voluntary fire companies play a significant role.

Modern firefighting equipment included protective helmets, lamps, backpacks, fire hoses, nozzles, chainsaws, leaf blowers, etc. Modernization of equipment increases the technical capacities of voluntary fire departments for intervention in emergency situations, as well as the stronger role of local communities in protecting natural resources and human lives.

Partners on this project, worth over EUR 1.6 million, in addition to the Fund for European Affairs and Development of the APV, are the PC “Vojvodinašume” as the lead partner, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia – Sector for Emergency Situations, on the Serbian side, and KEFAG Kiskunsági Erdészeti és Faipari Zrt.