The Voluntary Fire Brigade in Supetar celebrated the 75th anniversary of its foundation and activity with a formal session attended by active and former members, numerous guests and guests, and with the awarding of certificates of appreciation, awards and medals.
It all started on April 6, 1951, when 39 visionaries led by the first president Juro Damjanović and commander Dinko Matulić hit the foundations of the fire department in the capital of Brač. Those were years of exceptional courage and daring because then Brač, as the great Brač native wrote Vladimir Nazor was an “island without water” that only arrived in 1970 via a submarine pipeline. Until then, firefighters extinguished fires with water from thickets and puddles.
“Operation Florian”
He recalled all these events in a celebratory letter Valentino Jakšićpresident of Supetar DVD, who pointed out that the turning point, which completely changed society, happened in 1994 through “Operation Florian” and the great and wholehearted help of firefighters from Great Britain. This cooperation is constantly expanding and enriching. In the meantime, they were forced to change their location on seven occasions, but the crowning glory was the Firehouse, which was built in 2022. He was dreamed of by many generations before us, Jakšić pointed out, and he is a symbol of our survival and future.
At the end, he thanked all generations of firefighters, their families and everyone who helps their work, because it resulted in the Supetar DVD belonging to the flagship of Croatian volunteer firefighting.
“On behalf of DVD Supetar, I promise you that for the next 75 years we will be the first where it is most difficult, protecting our island, our people and our tradition,” said the head of DVD Supetar.
Before the ceremonial session in the open circle of the Fire Station, in front of the monument of St. Florian, patron saint of firefighters, commander of the fire department Nikola Martinic and President Valentino Jakšić laid wreaths and lit candles in honor and gratitude to all deceased firefighters.
Then, at the entrance to the Firehouse, a commemorative plaque to the founders of the society was unveiled, and next to the plaque are the names of 39 people who laid the foundation for the fire department in Supetar. They jointly discovered a plaque made of white stone from Brac Ante Hržić Majno and Dragoslav Dragicevic Paraderthe only founders of the club who experienced this solemn moment. With a lot of emotion in their voices, they briefly recalled that time and the founders and invited the young people to continue the firefighting tradition of their fathers and grandfathers. The two founders are peers because they have turned 91 in the life calendar.
The ceremonial session was opened with the national and fire brigade anthems performed by members of the Supetar women’s fire brigade band “Alegrija”. Thus, Supetar can boast that it is the only one in Lijepo naša to have its own fire hydrant. A large number of guests, dignitaries and representatives of DVD are the best evidence of the reputation of the people of Supetar in the world of firefighting.
Lots of guests
His Excellency graced the ceremony with his arrival Javed PatelAmbassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Croatia, Chief Fire Commander of the Republic of Croatia Slavko Tucakovićpresident of the Croatian Fire Brigade Association Ante Sanaderrepresentatives of the Split-Dalmatia County, the Fire Department of the Split-Dalmatia County, the mayor of Supetar Ivana Markovićmayors of surrounding municipalities and numerous friends and partners from Croatia, Slovenia, France, Serbia and the United Kingdom.
A special place in the program was awarded on the occasion of the 75th anniversary. Certificates of appreciation, medals and stone plaques were presented to numerous members of the Society, deserving individuals, organizations and legal entities that contributed to the development of firefighting and community safety with their work and support. Among the award winners were numerous firefighting friends and partners from Croatia and abroad, including voluntary firefighting societies, local self-government units, the Croatian firefighting community, foreign firefighting organizations, international humanitarian partners, and institutions from the civil protection and security system. Thus, DVD Supetar presented 113 awards to deserving members.
A trace in history
Deserving members of the Society who marked its development for decades with their work were also awarded with special plaques from DVD Supetar and the Croatian Fire Brigade Association – Ivan Jakšić – Žilelong-time commander of the Company, Nikica Maričićlong-time president, and Ivica Vranjičićlong-time secretary. Their contribution to the organizational strengthening of the Company, the operational development of the unit and the preservation of the firefighting tradition left a deep mark in the history of DVD Supetar and represents an example of commitment to future generations of firefighters.
The Croatian Firefighters Association presented special awards to deserving individuals, and the awarding of veteran awards caused special emotions. Tonč Dragičević Gabelotas well as the founders of the Society Anti Hržić Majnot and Dragoslav Dragičević Parader. Their contribution to the development of the fire department in Supetar remains permanently inscribed in the history of the Company, and they are precisely the symbol of continuity between the first days of its foundation and today’s modern fire department.
International awards were also given. Michael Dohertypresident of the Operation Florian organization, presented special awards – the Commemorative Humanitarian Medal to Anto Hržić and Dragoslav Dragičević and the Operation Florian Plaque to Tonč Dragičević, confirming the long-standing friendship and cooperation between British and Croatian firefighters.
The mayor of Supetar, Ivana Marković, said in her address that the firefighters are the pride of the city of Supetar, and she also promised to help them perform their responsible duties, saving lives and property.
At the end of the formal session, the welcoming words of the guests followed, who in turn pointed out that DVD Supetar is an example of a modern, strong and professional volunteer fire department, but also an example of a community that has been built for decades.
The twinning charter between DVD Supetar and DVD Rovišće was also signed, signed by the presidents of the companies Valentino Jakšić and Ivica Tanjicconfirming the long-term cooperation and friendship of the two fire departments.
