The NGO Infocenter, in cooperation with partner organizations, and with the support of the International Center “Olof Palme” from Sweden, within the project “Active citizens and participatory democracy at the local level”, carried out monitoring of the operations of the municipalities of Kumanovo, Sveti Nikole, Veles, Strumica , Kriva Palanka, Tearce, Debar and Mavrovo – Rostuše in the area of fire protection.
These are the findings:
1. Monitoring
The Municipality of Kriva Palanka and Fire Protection
Seven vehicles used for fire-fighting, some of them older than 40 years
The fire-fighting unit in Kriva Palanka has nine fire-fighting vehicles, two of which are out of order.
In the past three decades, the Municipality purchased only one new fire truck.
The other vehicles were either donated or gifted by other state institutions.
The average age of the vehicles is 30 years, and the oldest vehicle in use is 40 years old.
The Municipality conducts regular maintenance and service on the vehicles, and tests and checks the network of hydrants every two years.
The unit has 16 fire-fighters, one fewer than the legally prescribed minimum.
Three new fire-fighters were employed in 2021.
In 2019, the unit procured a fire-hose and a glass-breaker.
The Municipality doesn’t allocate subsidies for chimney sweeping, and doesn’t organize training for chimney sweepers.
2. Monitoring
The Municipality of Kumanovo and Fire Protection
Sufficient number of fire-fighters, not enough equipment
The Municipal fire-fighting unit has at its disposal 8 fire-fighting vehicles.
Six vehicles were procured by the Municipality, and two were donated.
The average age of the vehicles is 31 years.
The oldest vehicle dates back to 1978.
The Municipality of Kumanovo has 65 fire-fighters and meets the legal requirement of one fire-fighter per 1,500 inhabitants.
The latest assessment of risks from natural disasters and other emergencies was conducted in 2014.
The Municipality doesn’t allocate subsidies for chimney sweeping, and doesn’t organize training for chimney sweepers.
The Kumanovo fire-fighting brigade also covers the Municipality of Lipkovo.
In 2020, the Mayor of Kumanovo said in a public statement that the fire-fighting unit doesn’t have a mobile ladder that would allow access to upper floors of high-rises in cases of a fire.
3. Monitoring
The Municipality of Strumica and Fire Protection
The fire-fighting vehicles are, on average, older than 30 years.
The Strumica fire-fighting unit has 13 fire-fighting vehicles, three of which are out of order.
Two of the vehicles were donated, and five were transferred from the Bureau of Rescue and Protection.
The last vehicle was donated to the Municipality in 2021.
The average age of the fire-fighting vehicles is 33 years.
The popular FAP 1313 is the oldest vehicle in the car-park, dating back to 1972.
The Municipal fire-fighting unit has 52 fire-fighters.
Nine more fire-fighters are necessary to meet the legal minimum, knowing that together with the municipalities of Bosilovo, Vasilevo and Novo Selo, the unit covers an area with population of almost 80,000.
Seven calls for employment of fire-fighters were announced in the past three years.
4. Monitoring
The Municipality of Veles and Fire Protection
Regular maintenance and service of fire-fighting equipment and hydrant network
The Municipality of Veles has one of the newest fire-fighting car-park.
The average age of the vehicles is 22 years.
The Municipal fire-fighting unit has 32 fire-fighters.
That figure is below the legally prescribed minimum, knowing that for a population of almost 60,000 (together with municipalities of Gradsko and Caska) at least 39 fire-fighters are needed.
The fire-fighting equipment and the hydrant are serviced regularly.
The municipality organizes trainings in handling of fire-fighting equipment and evacuation exercises for the elementary and high-school students and the general population.
No assessment of risks of natural disasters has been conducted.
The Municipality allocates, on average, between 390 and 490 thousand denars per pear for fire-fighting.
The Municipality doesn’t allocate subsidies for chimney sweeping, and doesn’t organise training for chimney sweepers.
5. Monitoring
The Municipality of Debar and Fire Protection
Not enough fire-fighters to cover three municipalities
The Municipality of Debar has six fire-fighting vehicles.
The fire-fighting unit also covers the territories of municipalities of Centar Zupa and Mavrovo-Rostuse (the Rostushe part of the municipality).
The unit has 14 fire-fighters, just over the legal requirement of one fire-fighter per 1500 inhabitants.
In the period 2019-2021, there were no capital expenditures for fire-fighting and prevention purposes.
6. Monitoring
The Municipality of Sveti Nikole and Fire Protection
Four vehicles, mostly donated
The Municipal fire-fighting unit has at its disposal 4 fire-fighting vehicles.
Almost all vehicles were donated.
The unit has 17 fire-fighters, which is the legally prescribed minimum for a municipality of its size.
Three new fire-fighters were employed in 2020 and 2021.
The fire-fighting equipment was serviced in June 2022.
No assessment of risks of natural disasters and other emergencies has been conducted.
The Municipality doesn’t allocate subsidies for chimney sweeping, and doesn’t organise training for chimney sweepers.
The Sveti Nikole fire-fighting unit also covers the Municipality of Lozovo.
*Sources: The Municipality and the Centre for Civic Communications (https://www.opendata.mk/Home/TekstualniDetails/91?Category=1 )
**The monitoring was implemented under auspices of the “Active Citizens and Participative Democracy on the Local Level”
