BANJALUKA, TREBINJE – The arrival of summer and hot days brings with it the danger of fire. Although KM 6.1 million has been invested in new firefighting equipment in the Republic of Srpska, and the fire season is being welcomed more prepared than before, the authorities warn that most fires are still caused by human negligence.
Key facts before the fire season
- KM 6.1 million invested in new equipment
- 149 firefighters-rescuers trained
- Trebinje has 29 professional firefighters
- 12 specialized vehicles are available
- Banja Luka received 45 new members
- The most common cause of fire is human negligence
The fire season is welcomed by the more prepared
Biljana Pajić, assistant director of the Department for Organization, Planning and Training of the Civil Protection Administration of the Republika Srpska, told “Nezavisne novine” that the general assessment is that the fire season is being welcomed more prepared than it was a few years ago.
He states that through the projects of equipping and training local self-government fire-rescue units, significant funds and equipment for fire-rescue units were procured from the special account of the Republican Civil Protection Administration.
“From the aforementioned source, in 2025, in accordance with the Procurement Plan from 2024, the Republic Administration of Civil Protection procured and delivered firefighting and rescue equipment and equipment with a total value of 6,139,800.90 KM,” says Pajićeva, adding that, according to the Procurement Plan for 2025, they implemented several types of training for 149 firefighter-rescuers, with a total value of 309,296.79 KM.
“Priority when planning the procurement of fire-rescue means and equipment were underdeveloped and extremely underdeveloped local self-government units, where objectively the greatest need for more modern equipment and means is currently being implemented according to the Procurement Plan for 2025,” he points out.
Fires are the most common in eastern Herzegovina
He points out that fires most often occur in eastern Herzegovina, but also that forest areas of national parks and other protected areas are threatened.
“Constant temperature rise and longer dry periods increase the risk of fire in open space, but the biggest cause is still low awareness and irresponsible behavior of citizens. Therefore, we believe that the greatest attention should be focused on developing the awareness and fire culture of our citizens, and above all the younger generations,” notes Pajić.
All preparations done
Dejan Kašiković, commander of the Trebinje Territorial Fire and Rescue Unit, confirms for “Nezavisne novine” that they are ready to welcome the upcoming summer fire season, as well as that all the necessary preparations were made in the previous period.
“This includes servicing and inspection of vehicles, equipment and extinguishing agents, as well as additional training and exercises for members of the unit. We are aware that Herzegovina is one of the most fire-prone areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is why we pay special attention to raising operational readiness,” emphasizes Kašiković.
That is why, as he says, they are continuously working on improving the technical equipment of the unit, and each new acquisition of equipment significantly contributes to a faster and more efficient response to fires in open spaces, forest fires and other emergency situations.
Weather conditions
According to him, the number of interventions from year to year depends on weather conditions, amount of precipitation, temperature and the human factor.
“In the area of Trebinje, we register hundreds of interventions every year, a significant part of which are fires in open space during the summer months. A special challenge is fires in inaccessible terrain, characteristic of the Herzegovinian area. During extremely dry and warm seasons, the number of fires increases many times over, which requires maximum engagement of firefighters and cooperation with other protection and rescue services,” Kašiković points out.
Needs
He adds that the Trebinje Territorial Fire and Rescue Unit currently has 29 professional firefighters and rescuers and 12 official vehicles of various purposes, technical and specialized vehicles for intervention and rescue.
“Although the available human and technical capacities enable a high-quality response to most interventions, during large forest fires and emergency situations, cooperation with competent institutions, voluntary fire brigades and all subjects of the protection and rescue system is extremely important,” he emphasizes.
Banja Luka
The Department for Civil Protection Affairs and the Professional Territorial Fire and Rescue Unit of the city of Banja Luka tell “Nezavisne” that they have 45 new members, of which 35 are operational.
“Ten members are undergoing six-month training. They should be operational in September. The fire brigade is quite well equipped and ready for the upcoming warm days,” they explain.
They state that they cannot determine which period is the most critical, because everything depends on the weather conditions and the duration of the dry period, as well as on the conscience of fellow citizens, who should refrain from lighting any kind of fire outdoors.
“The most interventions are in February, March and April. The cause is always, or almost always, the human factor,” the Department for Civil Protection Affairs and PTVSJ of the city point out.
Kašiković states that they have very good cooperation with “Ecology and Safety” of the city of Trebinje, Civil Protection, as well as the voluntary fire brigades of Lastva, Zupci, Mosko and Jasen-Mosko. He appealed to the citizens to behave responsibly and conscientiously, especially during the summer months, stating that it is forbidden to light a fire in an open space without appropriate protective measures.
“Every occurrence of smoke or fire must be reported immediately to the number 123 or 112. A quick and timely report is often crucial to localize the fire in the initial phase and prevent major material damage, endangering human lives and devastation of natural resources. Our goal is to save lives, property and natural resources of Trebinje together with the citizens,” concludes Kašiković.
