WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
A difficult fight with fire has greeted Montenegrin firefighters this year as well. Although they have the will, ability and courage to fight the fire element, risking their own lives, the material and technical-technological conditions are still far from those in European countries. In order to change this and finally respect the efforts of firefighters, it is necessary to pass the Firefighting Law, emphasizes Goran Tripković, president of the union.
"We are the only country in Europe that has not resolved the issue of how to become a firefighter. The only thing that the law recognizes is that they must not be older than 25 years, that they are a Montenegrin citizen and that they have no criminal record. The bottom line is that everyone who comes must undergo tests to see if they are suitable for the job."
The importance of passing laws that better regulate this area, Tripković says, is not recognized by the umbrella institution in the protection and rescue system.
"With the support of the Municipality of Nikšić, the Fire Department tried to create a school for firefighters, we received all the papers and evidence from the Ministry of Education that we can conduct training, we have it in the unit, but there was a delay in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we do not have permission from them to conduct training for firefighters-rescuers. We are training the guys who have helped us a lot in recent days, in violation of the law, but in the gray we are trying to create something that is regulated in European countries."
It is also necessary to create a system in which it is clear who has what obligation, Tripković points out, adding that the public must know that a firefighter from Nikšić cannot just go to Podgorica to put out a fire.
"We went to Podgorica voluntarily. We left Nikšić "on the hook" to help them, and it doesn't hurt us a bit if the information that the Prime Minister and Mayor of Podgorica responded only to the firefighters from Podgorica to receive an award is true. We are not doing this for financial reasons, but for some other reasons. We hope that it is all just a misunderstanding and that the people who helped Podgorica will also be included, because we need to remind the public that there were more people from outside in Podgorica than their firefighters. It would not be right for us to separate and divide, and if such a decision remains in force, it will produce some other consequences in the long run, and only because some, who are in power, do not recognize the moment or the law that is currently in force. That law does not allow us to go to help without a decision from state authorities because many things have to be arranged - who will pay for daily wages, insurance, fuel... and that is not currently arranged. And when all of this is arranged, only the citizens will benefit.”
However, Tripković concludes, there remains hope that something will change in the system after the arduous fight against fires and the loss of life, all for the benefit of society.
