Members of the Croatian Army regularly demonstrate an exceptional level of professionalism and quick response in all tasks, especially those involving assistance to the population.

In the summer months, during the second phase of the fire protection season, members of the Fire Protection Specially Organized Forces of the Croatian Armed Forces put in special efforts.

From this month, allowances for members of the Fire Protection Specially Organized Forces have been increased, both for those performing their duties in Croatia and those providing humanitarian aid abroad.

Namely, according to the Decision of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, the allowance for members of the Croatian Army has been increased for active military personnel – commanders of fire protection specially organized forces at all levels, pilots, captains, co-pilots, and flight technicians in the crews of the Croatian Air Force aircraft engaged in fire protection, to 40 euros net per day of engagement, instead of the previous 35 euros.

For members of the Croatian Army who are sent to provide humanitarian aid abroad (fires, floods, etc.), the allowance has been increased to 90 euros net for each day of participation, instead of the previous 80 euros.

Also, for members of the fire protection specially organized forces and members of the intervention communication group engaged in fire protection tasks, the allowance will amount to 35 euros per day of engagement instead of the previous 31 euros.

Finally, this Decision increases the monetary allowances for members of the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Armed Forces engaged in providing assistance to civil institutions, services, and the population, as well as search and rescue tasks with their aircraft.

Anušić: Canadair pilots are a guarantee of safety at home and abroad
Minister Anušić emphasized that the engagement and responsible execution of tasks by members of the Croatian Army should be accompanied by appropriate material status and that this Decision is only a continuation of improving the standards of Croatian Army members.

“The knowledge and skills of our members of the fire protection specially organized forces are at an enviable level. We thank the Canadair pilots for successfully mastering the fire elements for years and representing a strong guarantee of safety for the Croatian people. Members of the Croatian Army continually prove that they are always with their people. Just yesterday, members of the Special Forces Command helped those injured in a traffic accident, members of the fire protection specially organized forces daily help and save during the fire protection season, and we could list more such examples. I am truly deeply grateful to them.”

Regarding the current engagement, from the beginning of the second phase of the fire protection season until July 26, 2024, air forces from the Fire Protection Specially Organized Forces participated in extinguishing 28 fires along the Adriatic coast, including 15 in the Split-Dalmatia County, six in the Zadar County, three in the Šibenik-Knin County, two in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, one in the Lika-Senj County, and one in the Istria County.

One fire-fighting plane Canadair CL-415 with two crews and accompanying aviation-technical personnel was engaged in providing international humanitarian aid in extinguishing fires in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Just yesterday, four Canadair CL-415 planes were engaged in extinguishing fires in the Pelješac area in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Support for local communities
The Government of the Republic of Croatia's Activity Program defines the coordination and implementation of activities by competent authorities for preventive and operational action to reduce open space fires. As part of the program, the Croatian Armed Forces' air forces help in aerial reconnaissance, transporting firefighters and ground forces, and supplying water to the endangered population.

The fire protection season takes place in three phases: the preparatory phase (January-May), the main phase (June-September) when all forces are in full operational readiness, and the final phase (September-November). During the main phase, the Operational Fire Command of the Republic of Croatia in Divulje coordinates all operations. Croatian air forces are continuously engaged in preventive and intervention activities to ensure the safety and protection of the population and property.