Pristina on alert for hot summer, municipalities, firefighters appeal for caution

Director for Security and Emergency in the Pristina municipality Lulzim Fushtica for Online Economy said preparations have started earlier than previous years, taking into account global warnings for a warmer summer.

We as capital this year have started much earlier preparations for the summer season. Although we still do not have an official prediction from the Meteorological Institute, global warnings indicate that we could have temperatures higher than last year. Two weeks ago, we held the first meeting of the summer preparation team, attended by all relevant institutions, including the Professional Fire Department, Capital Police, Medical Emergencys and Municipal Directors. We started drafting the operational plan based on last year's experience when we faced a large number of field and forest fires”, Fushtica said.

He added that preparations have been made in terms of personnel, equipment and institutional co-ordination so that the response is as efficient as possible in need.

“Hopefully we don't have situations similar to those of last year, but despite that we will be willing to offer help to citizens. It should be seen that during the summer the capital faces even the largest influx of citizens and countrymen from the diaspora, so our capacities will be fully engaged”, he said.

Fushtica confirmed that emergency medical teams will return to the capital squares in periods with extreme temperatures, while firemen and police will also provide support.

“medical emergency teams will be deployed as needed in the capital squares. Likewise, the Professional Brigade of Firemen will be committed not only to intervention but also to the distribution of water when needed. Police will add patrols and reserve teams will be established. The Fire and Rescue Volunteering Association is involved in this process, so all available capacities have been mobilised for the” summer season, he said.

Speaking of fire department capacities, Fushtica said the brigade has been equipped with additional equipment, and soon a new vehicle will be available.

The Professional Fire Department has the necessary equipment and tools. Last month we accepted as a donation about eight tons of Trident product, a special foam on fire extinguishing. Also expected this week is the new attack truck, purchased by our directorate of about 350 thousand euros. With these investments significantly increased the operational capacities of the” Brigade, he said.

Meanwhile, Pristina Professional Brigade deputy commander Abdusamed Shkodra said that rising temperatures are usually accompanied by increased fires in open spaces.

As temperatures rise, so do the number of field and mountain fires. Based on the experience of past years, the brigade prepares in time for this season. On May 28th, we attended a co-ordination meeting organised by the Directorate for Security and Emergency, where all relevant institutions were involved. The necessary coordinates have been made, and I can say that we are willing to face the challenges this summer can bring, said Shkodra.

He said the situation with equipment is satisfactory, but acknowledged that the brigade continues to face lack of personnel.

We stay well, even though there's always room for improvement. Last year we took 30 new firefighters, although some of them later quit. Compared to previous years, we are in a better situation, but we still lack staff. If we refer to the standard of one fireman for 1,500 people, then the capital lacks approximately 50 fire fighters”, he said.

Shkodra stressed that the biggest challenges are presented when several emergency cases occur simultaneously, making it difficult to prioritize interventions.

There are always difficulties, especially in inappropriate terrain or when we have certain cases at once. In such situations the main challenge is setting priorities. Citizens must understand that if initial measures are not taken for prevention or control of fire, then it becomes much harder for all demands to be addressed in time, regardless of the number of staff or equipment available”, he said.

The deputy fire commander called on citizens, particularly farmers, to avoid burning after harvesting waste.

I want to appeal to all citizens, especially farmers, not to burn waste after harvesting. This practice damages the earth, destroys microorganisms, pollutes the environment, and poses a serious threat to the spread of fires. Many of our summer interventions are related to just such cases that get out of control. Besides being harmful, this practice is also prohibited by law and sanctioned. So we ask citizens to be vigilant and avoid using fire where it is not necessary”, Shkodra added. Periscope.